Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How Does Ball Possession Affect the Physical Demands in Spanish LaLiga? A Multilevel Approach

ABSTRACT Purpose: Using a multilevel approach, this study analyzed the relationship between ball possession and distance covered at different speed sections: total distance (TD), distance covered between 14.1–21 km·h−1 (MIRD), 21.1–24 km·h−1 (HIRD), and > 24.1 km·h−1 (VHIRD). Methods: The sample included 1,520 matches played by 80 Spanish professional soccer teams across four consecutive LaLiga seasons (from 2015/2016 to 2018/2019). Two observations were collected per match, one from each team, resulting in a total of 2,950 records (760 per season). Data were collected using Mediacoach®. Results: At match level (i.e., grand-mean centered), ball possession negatively predicted all distances covered. At team level (i.e., group-mean centered), ball possession negatively predicted total distance covered and distance covered between 14.1–21 km·h−1. Furthermore, cross-level interactions (Match X Team) in ball possession negatively predicted all distances covered at speeds above 14.1 km·h−1. Specifically, in high-possession teams, the negative relationship between match ball possession and distances traveled at all speed ranges above 14.1 km·h−1 was stronger than in teams with medium or low possession. Conversely, match ball possession was positively related todistance covered at low intensities, and negatively related at high intensities in low-possession teams. Conclusion: These findings show practitioners and researchers that the distances covered at different speed ranges depend on technical-tactical parameters such as ball possession.
Systemic Inflammation in Sarcopenia Alter Functional Capacity in Thai Community-dwelling Older People: A Preliminary Observational Study

Background: Sarcopenia is linked to the loss of muscle mass in older adults, leading to impaired functional capacity and quality of life. In addition, this finding was recognized as an age-related chronic inflammatory process. We aimed to determine the relationship between sarcopenia, functional capacity, and inflammatory biomarkers and subsequent prediction of inflammatory biomarkers in older adults. Methods: A total of 126 women and men aged ≥ 60 years were enrolled. Participants were required to complete a handgrip dynamometer, 6-meter walk test, and bioimpedance analysis. Diagnosis was based on the definition of sarcopenia from the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019. Prior to performing a 6-minute walking test (i.e., functional capacity testing), blood samples were drawn for a C-reactive protein (CRP) test. Results: A total of 12.70% were categorized as having sarcopenia. Significant differences in CRP and functional capacity between the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups were found (p <.05). Older people with high CRP levels had significantly reduced functional capacity and slow gait speed. Conclusions: Poor functional capacity was associated with increased CRP levels, which might be due to the development of age-related inflammation. Older patients with sarcopenia may be at higher risk for functional decline.
Numerical simulation and analysis of solid-liquid two-phase flow in centrifugal pump

The flow with solid-liquid two-phase media inside centrifugal pumps is very complicated and the relevant method for the hydraulic design is still immature so far. There exist two main problems in the operation of the two-phase flow pumps, i.e., low overall efficiency and severe abrasion. In this study, the three-dimensional, steady, incompressible, and turbulent solid-liquid two-phase flows in a low-specific-speed centrifugal pump are numerically simulated and analyzed by using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code based on the mixture model of the two-phase flow and the RNG k-ɛ two-equation turbulence model, in which the influences of rotation and curvature are fully taken into account. The coupling between impeller and volute is implemented by means of the frozen rotor method. The simulation results predicted indicate that the solid phase properties in two-phase flow, especially the concentration, the particle diameter and the density, have strong effects on the hydraulic performance of the pump. Both the pump head and the efficiency are reduced with increasing particle diameter or concentration. However, the effect of particle density on the performance is relatively minor. An obvious jet-wake flow structure is presented near the volute tongue and becomes more remarkable with increasing solid phase concentration. The suction side of the blade is subject to much more severe abrasion than the pressure side. The obtained results preliminarily reveal the characteristics of solid-liquid two-phase flow in the centrifugal pump, and are helpful for improvement and empirical correction in the hydraulic design of centrifugal pumps.
Non-traumatic acute myelopathies: Clinical and imaging features in a real world emergency setting

Objective The aetiologic diagnosis of non-traumatic acute myelopathies (AMs), and their differentiation from other mimicking conditions (i.e. ‘mimics’), are clinically challenging, especially in the emergency setting. Here, we sought to identify: (i) red flags suggesting diagnoses alternative to AMs and (ii) clinical signs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features differentiating non-compressive from compressive AMs. Materials and methods We retrospectively retrieved MRI scans of spinal cord dictated at emergency room from January 2016 to December 2020 in the suspicion of AMs. Patients with traumatic myelopathies and those with subacute/chronic myelopathies (i.e. MRI scans acquired >48 h from symptom onset) were excluded from analysis. Results Our search retrieved 105 patients; after excluding 16 cases of traumatic myelopathies and 14 cases of subacute/chronic myelopathies, we identified 30 cases with non-compressive AMs, 30 cases with compressive AMs and 15 mimics. The presence of pyramidal signs (p = 0.012) and/or pain (p = 0.048) correctly identified 88% of cases with AMs. We failed to identify clinical indicators for distinguishing non-compressive and compressive AMs, although cases with inflammatory AMs were younger than cases with all the remaining conditions (p < 0.05). Different MRI patterns could be described according to the final diagnosis: among non-compressive AMs, inflammatory lesions were more often posterior or central; vascular malformation had a fairly widespread distribution; spine ischaemia was more often central. Anterior or lateral compression were more often associated with neoplasms and disc herniation , whereas hemorrhages and infections produced spine compression on all sides. Conclusion We propose a simple clinical indicator (i.e. pyramidal signs and/or pain) to distinguish AMs from their mimics in an emergency setting. Urgent spinal cord MRI remains essential to discriminate compressive and non-compressive aetiologies.
A Genome for Bidens hawaiensis: A Member of a Hexaploid Hawaiian Plant Adaptive Radiation

Abstract The plant genus Bidens (Asteraceae or Compositae; Coreopsidae) is a species-rich and circumglobally distributed taxon. The 19 hexaploid species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands are considered an iconic example of adaptive radiation, of which many are imperiled and of high conservation concern. Until now, no genomic resources were available for this genus, which may serve as a model system for understanding the evolutionary genomics of explosive plant diversification. Here, we present a high-quality reference genome for the Hawaiʻi Island endemic species B. hawaiensis A. Gray reconstructed from long-read, high-fidelity sequences generated on a Pacific Biosciences Sequel II System. The haplotype-aware, draft genome assembly consisted of ~6.67 Giga bases (Gb), close to the holoploid genome size estimate of 7.56 Gb (±0.44 SD) determined by flow cytometry. After removal of alternate haplotigs and contaminant filtering, the consensus haploid reference genome was comprised of 15 904 contigs containing ~3.48 Gb, with a contig N50 value of 422 594. The high interspersed repeat content of the genome, approximately 74%, along with hexaploid status, contributed to assembly fragmentation. Both the haplotype-aware and consensus haploid assemblies recovered >96% of Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs. Yet, the removal of alternate haplotigs did not substantially reduce the proportion of duplicated benchmarking genes (~79% vs. ~68%). This reference genome will support future work on the speciation process during adaptive radiation, including resolving evolutionary relationships, determining the genomic basis of trait evolution, and supporting ongoing conservation efforts.
The protective effects of HIF-1α activation on sepsis induced intestinal mucosal barrier injury in rats model of sepsis

The integrity of the intestinal barrier is critical for protecting the host against the pathogen. The role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in the intestinal barrier disfunction related to sepsis remained unclear. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the role of HIF-1α on oxidative damage, the intestinal mucosal permeability, structural and morphological changes during sepsis. Twenty-four Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups of 6 rats each: the sham group (sham), sepsis group (subjected to cecal ligation and perforation, CLP), sepsis + DMOG group (40 mg/kg of DMOG by intraperitoneal injection for 7 consecutive days before CLP), and sepsis + BAY 87–2243 group (9 mg/kg of BAY 87–2243 orally administered for 3 consecutive days before CLP). Sepsis increased plasma levels of inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress markers and HIF-1α expression; caused pathological damage; increased permeability (P < 0.05); and decreased TJ protein expression in the intestinal mucosa of rats with sepsis (P < 0.05). The addition of DMOG up-regulated HIF-1α, then decreased the plasma levels of inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress markers, alleviated pathological damage to the intestinal mucosa and decreased intestinal permeability (P < 0.05); while BAY 87–2243 treatment had the opposite effects. Our findings showed that HIF-1α protects the intestinal barrier function of septic rats by inhibiting intestinal inflammation and oxidative damage, our results provide a novel insight for developing sepsis treatment.
Use of benznidazole to treat chronic Chagas disease: An updated systematic review with a meta-analysis

Background Approximately 6 million people worldwide are affected by Chagas disease, with many in the chronic phase of the disease (CCD). It is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of benznidazole for CCD treatment. Methods/Principal findings We updated a meta-analysis published in 2009 up to February 2021, including controlled trials (RCT) and prospective observational studies (OBS) that compared benznidazole vs placebo/no-treatment (P/nT). Main outcomes evaluated were clinical progression (CP) and seroreversion with subgroup analysis performed according to study design and participants’ age. Parasitological response and safety were also described. We identified 879 articles and selected nine for inclusion (corresponding to eight studies). After adding the nine articles from the previous meta-analysis, 17 studies were analyzed corresponding to 6640 patients. The odds ratio (OR) for seroreversion in children treated with benznidazole vs P/nT was 38.3 (95%CI: 10.7–137) and 34.9 (95%CI: 1.96–624.09) in RCT and OBS, respectively. In adults the OR for seroreversion in OBS was 17.1 (95%CI: 2.3–129.1). CP was only evaluated in adults, where benznidazole did not demonstrate a beneficial effect: OR 0.93 (95%CI: 0.8–1.1) and OR 0.49 (95%CI:0.2–1.2) for RCT and OBS, respectively. Most outcomes were deemed to have a low level of certainty, except for the beneficial effect in children and the low efficacy in adults (moderate certainty). Conclusions Benznidazole should be recommended for CCD in children, though this is only based on serological response and a moderate grade of evidence, while in adults benznidazole efficacy remains uncertain. More data on clinical efficacy of benznidazole in CCD is needed in both children and adults.
A prospective evaluation of the fourth national Be Clear on Cancer ‘Blood in Pee’ campaign in England

Abstract Objective To assess the impact of the fourth Be Clear on Cancer (BCoC) ‘Blood in Pee’ (BiP) campaign (July to September 2018) on bladder and kidney cancer symptom awareness and outcomes in England. Methods In this uncontrolled before and after study, symptom awareness and reported barriers to GP attendance were assessed using panel and one‐to‐one interviews. The Health Improvement Network (THIN), National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (NCRAS) and NHS Cancer Waiting Times (CWT) data were analysed to assess the impact on GP attendances, urgent cancer referrals, cancer diagnoses and 1‐year survival. Analyses used Poisson, negative binomial and Cox regression. Results Symptom awareness and intention to consult a GP after one episode of haematuria increased following the campaign. GP attendance with haematuria (rate ratio (RR) 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07–1.28) and urgent cancer referrals (RR 1.18 95% CI: 1.08–1.28) increased following the campaign. Early‐stage diagnoses increased for bladder cancer (difference in percentage 2.8%, 95% CI: −0.2%–5.8%), but not for kidney cancer (difference −0.6%, 95% CI: −3.2%–2.1%). Conclusions The fourth BCoC BiP campaign appears to have been effective in increasing bladder cancer symptom awareness and GP attendances, although long‐term impacts are unclear.
Rainfall Trend Analysis of Hydrological Subbasins in Western Iran

AbstractPrecipitation is one of the main components in water budget balance and its trend analysis could help to understand the hydrological features of a basin in the future. In this study, 10 subbasins in western Iran are selected. One rain gauge station is chosen as a control station and three more are selected upstream, in the middle, and downstream of each subbasin. Average monthly and annual rainfall time series are analyzed and then the trends are investigated. Analysis of mentioned time series of control stations reveals that 51% of time series have decreasing trends, while 49% experience increasing trends. Six out of 10 studied subbasins have decreasing trend of average annual rainfall time series all over the basin. Among the most rainy months in the country (November to May), in November 68% of the stations have upward trend, while in March 92% of the stations have downward trend.
Electronic health records post-implementation challenges in selected hospitals: A qualitative study in the Central Region of southern Ghana

Background Electronic health records (EHRs) are useful tools in healthcare settings but implementation in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) face challenges. Objective To explore post-implementation challenges affecting the deployment of EHRs and their use in selected health facilities in Ghana. Method Using a qualitative research approach, 21 in-depth interviews were conducted with health workers in two hospitals in the study area in Ghana, in February and June 2020. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded into themes using QSR Nvivo12 software to aid thematic analyses. Results Post-implementation challenges were grouped into lack of technological, logistical and managerial support, and inadequate training. Inadequate equipment was the most reported post-implementation challenge that affected EHR use. Unreliable Internet and network connectivity was a source of frustration, which caused staff to develop negative attitudes towards use of the system. Lack of funding stalled implementation of the system and limited its use to critical care units only. It was also the reason replacement of equipment delayed. Conclusion While EHR post-implementation challenges facing health facilities are surmountable, managerial support, backed with the requisite logistical and technical support is needed. It is not enough to rely on funding; health institutions should prioritise emerging EHR post-implementation challenges in their operating budgets. Implications A national framework is needed to guide effective and sustainable EHR implementation across the country.
EEG alpha power predicts the temporal sensitivity of multisensory perception

Pre‐stimulus electroencephalogram (EEG) oscillations, especially in the alpha range (8–13 Hz), can affect the sensitivity to temporal lags between modalities in multisensory perception. The effects of alpha power are often explained in terms of alpha's inhibitory functions, whereas effects of alpha frequency have bolstered theories of discrete perceptual cycles, where the length of a cycle, or window of integration, is determined by alpha frequency. Such studies typically employ visual detection paradigms with near‐threshold or even illusory stimuli. It is unclear whether such results generalize to above‐threshold stimuli. Here, we recorded EEG, while measuring temporal discrimination sensitivity in a temporal‐order judgement task using above‐threshold auditory and visual stimuli. We tested whether the power and instantaneous frequency of pre‐stimulus oscillations predict audiovisual temporal discrimination sensitivity on a trial‐by‐trial basis. By applying a jackknife procedure to link single‐trial pre‐stimulus oscillatory power and instantaneous frequency to psychometric measures, we identified a posterior cluster where lower alpha power was associated with higher temporal sensitivity of audiovisual discrimination. No statistically significant relationship between instantaneous alpha frequency and temporal sensitivity was found. These results suggest that temporal sensitivity for above‐threshold multisensory stimuli fluctuates from moment to moment and is indexed by modulations in alpha power.
Endogenous Retroviruses Augment Amphibian (Xenopus laevis) Tadpole Antiviral Protection

Global amphibian biodiversity is being challenged by pathogens like the Frog Virus 3 (FV3) ranavirus, underlining the need to gain a greater understanding of amphibian antiviral defenses. While it was previously believed that anuran (frog/toad) amphibian tadpoles are more susceptible to FV3, we demonstrated that tadpoles are in fact more resistant to this virus than metamorphic and postmetamorphic froglets. ABSTRACT The global amphibian declines are compounded by infections with members of the Ranavirus genus such as Frog Virus 3 (FV3). Premetamorphic anuran amphibians are believed to be significantly more susceptible to FV3 while this pathogen targets the kidneys of both pre- and postmetamorphic animals. Paradoxically, FV3-challenged Xenopus laevis tadpoles exhibit lower kidney viral loads than adult frogs. Presently, we demonstrate that X. laevis tadpoles are intrinsically more resistant to FV3 kidney infections than cohort-matched metamorphic and postmetamorphic froglets and that this resistance appears to be epigenetically conferred by endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). Using a X. laevis kidney-derived cell line, we show that enhancing ERV gene expression activates cellular double-stranded RNA-sensing pathways, resulting in elevated mRNA levels of antiviral interferon (IFN) cytokines and thus greater anti-FV3 protection. Finally, our results indicate that large esterase-positive myeloid-lineage cells, rather than renal cells, are responsible for the elevated ERV/IFN axis seen in the tadpole kidneys. This conclusion is supported by our observation that CRISPR-Cas9 ablation of colony-stimulating factor-3 results in abolished homing of these myeloid cells to tadpole kidneys, concurrent with significantly abolished tadpole kidney expression of both ERVs and IFNs. We believe that the manuscript marks an important step forward in understanding the mechanisms controlling amphibian antiviral defenses and thus susceptibility and resistance to pathogens like FV3. IMPORTANCE Global amphibian biodiversity is being challenged by pathogens like the Frog Virus 3 (FV3) ranavirus, underlining the need to gain a greater understanding of amphibian antiviral defenses. While it was previously believed that anuran (frog/toad) amphibian tadpoles are more susceptible to FV3, we demonstrated that tadpoles are in fact more resistant to this virus than metamorphic and postmetamorphic froglets. We showed that this resistance is conferred by large myeloid cells within the tadpole kidneys (central FV3 target), which possess an elevated expression of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). In turn, these ERVs activate cellular double-stranded RNA-sensing pathways, resulting in a greater expression of antiviral interferon cytokines, thereby offering the observed anti-FV3 protection.
Melatonin Ingestion Prevents Liver Damage and Improves Biomarkers of Renal Function Following a Maximal Exercise

ABSTRACT Background: While the promotion of the beneficial effects of melatonin (MEL) ingestion on the modulation of oxidative stress is widespread, less attention is given to the biological influence that it could exert on the results of hematology and clinical chemistry parameters. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of acute MEL ingestion on these parameters during a maximal running exercise. Methods: In double blind randomized design, 12 professional soccer players [age: 17.54 ± 0.78 yrs, body mass: 70.31 ± 3.86 kg, body height: 1.8 ± 0.08 m; maximal aerobic speed (MAS): 16.85 ± 0.63 km/h; mean ± standard deviation], all males, performed a diurnal (17:00 h ± 30 h) running exercise test (RET) at 100% of their MAS following either MEL or placebo ingestion. Blood samples were obtained at rest and following the RET. Results: Compared to placebo, MEL intake decreased post-exercise biomarkers of liver damage (aspartate aminotransferase, p<0.001; alanine aminotransferase, p<0.001; gamma-glutamyltransferase; p<0.05) and improved post-exercise renal function markers (i.e., creatinine, p<0.001). However, lipid profile, glucose, lactate and leukocyte were not affected by MEL ingestion. Regarding the time to exhaustion, no difference was found between MEL (362.46 ± 42.06 s) and PLA (374.54 ± 57.97 s) conditions. Conclusion: The results of this investigation clearly attest that MEL ingestion before a maximal running exercise might protect athletes from liver damage and perturbation in renal function biomarkers. However, this study comprises an acute MEL supplementation and no assessment on chronic effects or circadian rhythm the day before was done.