Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in resting‐state functional brain connectivity associated with head impacts over one men’s semi‐professional soccer season

Soccer, as a contact sport, exposes players to repetitive head impacts, especially through heading the ball. The question of a long‐term brain cumulative effect remains. Our objective was to determine whether exposure to head impacts over one soccer season was associated with changes in functional brain connectivity at rest, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this prospective cohort study, 10 semi‐professional men soccer players, aged 18–25 years, and 20 age‐matched men athletes without a concussion history and who do not practice any contact sport were recruited in Bordeaux (France). Exposure to head impacts per soccer player during competitive games over one season was measured using video analysis. Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired for both groups at two times, before and after the season. With a seed‐based analysis, resting‐state networks that have been intimately associated with aspects of cognitive functioning were investigated. The results showed a mean head impacts of 42 (±33) per soccer player over the season, mainly intentional head‐to‐ball impacts and no concussion. No head impact was found among the other athletes. The number of head impacts between the two MRI acquisitions before and after the season was associated with increased connectivity within the default mode network and the cortico‐cerebellar network. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the brain functioning changes over one soccer season in association with exposure to repetitive head impacts.
Promoting Functional and Independent Sitting in Children With Cerebral Palsy Using the Robotic Trunk Support Trainer

Seated postural abilities are critical to functional independence and participation in children with cerebral palsy, Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) levels III–IV. In this proof-of-concept study, we investigated the feasibility of a motor learning–based seated postural training with a robotic Trunk-Support-Trainer (TruST) in a longitudinal single-subject-design (13y, GMFCS IV), and its potential effectiveness in a group of 3 children (6–14y, GMFCS III–IV). TruST is a motorized-cable driven belt placed on the child’s trunk to exert active-assistive forces when the trunk moves beyond stability limits. TruST-intervention addresses postural-task progression by tailoring the assistive-force fields to the child’s sitting balance to train trunk control during independent short-sitting posture. TruST-intervention consisted of 2 training blocks of six 2hour-sessions per block (3 sessions per week). Pelvic strapping was required in the 1st block to prevent falls. As primary outcomes, we used the modified functional reach test, gross motor function measure-item set (GMFM-IS), Box & Blocks, and postural kinematics. After TruST-intervention children did not require pelvic strapping to prevent a fall, improved trunk stability during reaching (baseline = 5.49cm, 1week post-training = 16.38cm, 3mos follow-up = 14.63cm, ${P} < 0.001$ ) and increased their sitting workspace (baseline = 127.55cm2, 1week post-training, = 409.92cm2, 3mos follow-up = 270.03cm2, ${P} < 0.001$ ). Three children also improved in the GMFM-IS. In summary, our novel robotic TruST-intervention is feasible and can effectively maximize functional independent sitting in children with CP GMFCS III–IV.
A Framework for Enhancing Access to Equitable Home Care for 2SLGBTQ+ Communities

Canadian, US, and UK public health and clinical research has identified barriers to health service access for Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, non-binary, and intersex (2SLGBTQ+) communities. While offering important insight into the health service experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ communities, this body of research only recently, and still only minimally, reports on home care access experiences. Drawing on key findings from the 2SLGBTQ+ Home Care Access Project, a mixed-methods, Ontario-wide study, this paper animates an Access and Equity Framework, using participant stories and perspectives to underscore the relevance and effectiveness of the Framework as a tool to support systematic organizational assessment, evaluation, and implementation of access and equity strategies. Home care organizations can use this tool to assess their programs and services along a continuum of intentionally inviting, unintentionally inviting, unintentionally disinviting, and intentionally disinviting care for 2SLGBTQ+ people. To support this process, the framework includes six indicators of access to care: community engagement, leadership, environment, policies and processes, education and training, and programs and services.
Study of Industrial Grade Thermal Insulation at Elevated Temperatures

Thermal insulation is used for preventing heat losses or heat gains in various applications. In industries that process combustible products, inorganic-materials-based thermal insulation may, if proven sufficiently heat resistant, also provide heat protection in fire incidents. The present study investigated the performance and breakdown temperature of industrial thermal insulation exposed to temperatures up to 1200 °C, i.e., temperatures associated with severe hydrocarbon fires. The thermal insulation properties were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and by heating 50 mm cubes in a muffle furnace to temperatures in the range of 600 to 1200 °C with a 30 min holding time. The room temperature thermal conductivity was also recorded after each heat treatment. Upon heating, the mineral-based oil dust binder was released at temperatures in the range of 300 to 500 °C, while the Bakelite binder was released at temperatures in the range of 850 to 960 °C. The 50 mm test cubes experienced increasing levels of sintering in the temperature range of 700 to 1100 °C. At temperatures above 1100 °C, the thermal insulation started degrading significantly. Due to being heat-treated to 1200 °C, the test specimen morphology was similar to a slightly porous rock and the original density of 140 kg/m3 increased to 1700 kg/m3. Similarly, the room temperature thermal conductivity increased from 0.041 to 0.22 W/m∙K. The DSC analysis confirmed an endothermic peak at about 1200 °C, indicating melting, which explained the increase in density and thermal conductivity. Recently, 350 kW/m2 has been set as a test target heat flux, i.e., corresponding to an adiabatic temperature of 1200 °C. If a thin layer of thermally robust insulation is placed at the heat-exposed side, the studied thermal insulation may provide significant passive fire protection, even when exposed to heat fluxes up to 350 kW/m2. It is suggested that this is further analysed in future studies.
An Investigation into Cis-elements, Rare Mutations, and Slipped-DNA Detection at Trinucleotide Repeat Disease-associated Loci

Gene-specific trinucleotide repeat expansions are the cause of an ever-growing number of disorders, including myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7). Both DM1, and SCA7 are characterized by large differences in repeat numbers between tissues that are differentially affected, indicating tissue-specific mechanisms of repeat instability. The mechanism(s) of both somatic as well as germline instability are complex and still poorly understood, with evidence supporting the contribution of cis-elements, trans factors, and DNA metabolic processes that are hypothesized to involve alternative structure formation within the DNA tract. This thesis involves investigations into the role of a particular cis-element (CTCF) on instability, as well as the detection of slipped-DNAs in patient tissues and the presence of rare mutations within those same tissues. Here I identify the first endogenous cis-element reported to show regulation of instability at a trinucleotide repeat disease locus, the DNA binding site for the insulator protein CCCTCbinding factor (CTCF) downstream of the SCA7 repeat. Using a mouse model with a mutation in the CTCF binding domain, I show that the loss of CTCF binding stimulates germline and somatic instability in a tissue-specific and age-dependent manner. The binding of CTCF likely
Radiomic Features and Machine Learning for the Discrimination of Renal Tumor Histological Subtypes: A Pragmatic Study Using Clinical-Routine Computed Tomography

Simple Summary This study evaluates how advanced image analyses (radiomic features) and machine learning algorithms can help to distinguish subtypes of kidney tumors in computed tomography (CT) images, which is important for further patient treatment. For 201 patients, the image analyses showed a moderate performance, but robustly performed across various imaging centers and even in cases with suboptimal image quality. In particular, distinguishing one specific subtype of kidney tumor (oncocytomas) from other subtypes proves to be challenging. The algorithms presented in this study can help in the clinical decision-making process for kidney tumor patients, for example, to decide whether to perform kidney surgery or not. Abstract This study evaluates the diagnostic performance of radiomic features and machine learning algorithms for renal tumor subtype assessment in venous computed tomography (CT) studies from clinical routine. Patients undergoing surgical resection and histopathological assessment of renal tumors at a tertiary referral center between 2012 and 2019 were included. Preoperative venous-phase CTs from multiple referring imaging centers were segmented, and standardized radiomic features extracted. After preprocessing, class imbalance handling, and feature selection, machine learning algorithms were used to predict renal tumor subtypes using 10-fold cross validation, assessed as multiclass area under the curve (AUC). In total, n = 201 patients were included (73.7% male; mean age 66 ± 11 years), with n = 131 clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCC), n = 29 papillary RCC, n = 11 chromophobe RCC, n = 16 oncocytomas, and n = 14 angiomyolipomas (AML). An extreme gradient boosting algorithm demonstrated the highest accuracy (multiclass area under the curve (AUC) = 0.72). The worst discrimination was evident for oncocytomas vs. AML and oncocytomas vs. chromophobe RCC (AUC = 0.55 and AUC = 0.45, respectively). In sensitivity analyses excluding oncocytomas, a random forest algorithm showed the highest accuracy, with multiclass AUC = 0.78. Radiomic feature analyses from venous-phase CT acquired in clinical practice with subsequent machine learning can discriminate renal tumor subtypes with moderate accuracy. The classification of oncocytomas seems to be the most complex with the lowest accuracy.
Ultrasound processing of amyloglucosidase: impact on enzyme activity, stability and possible industrial applications

This study evaluated the effect of ultrasound processing as a pre-treatment of amyloglucosidase on the enzymatic activity and stability. The activity was evaluated under optimal (65°C/ pH = 4.5) and non-optimal conditions of temperature and pH and its stability was evaluated during storage at 8°C. The enzyme solution was processed at 9.5 W L, 40 kHz, 23°C and at pH 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5, for up to 120 min. The activity was measured at 35, 65 and 80°C. The US process was able to increase, reduce or not alter the enzymatic activity, depending on the conditions applied. These modifications depended on the pH of the enzyme solution, the ultrasound processing time and the activity temperature. In different ultrasound conditions, mainly at 35 and 65°C, the enzyme activity did not change, demonstrating that this technology can be used for other purposes, such as microbial inactivation, without affecting the enzyme. The activity increase (up to 15%) occurred under non-optimal pH and temperature conditions (pH 3.5 or 5.5/ 80°C), suggesting that ultrasound promoted stabilization and enzymatic protection. This result is interesting in the starch saccharification, which requires the enzymatic reaction at high temperatures. Therefore, such results can increase the application range of this enzyme in different industrial applications.
Breastfeeding Support in the Time of COVID-19.

A s I write this month’s column in late July 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 (ie, COVID-19) pandemic is raging across the United States, with 4.4 million total cases and more than 150 000 deaths attributed to the virus. At this point, several demographic groups appear to be particularly vulnerable to a severe disease course, including those older than 60 years, individuals with underlying health conditions, and Black Americans who face increased exposure and risk related to structural racism. As of June 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added pregnant people to the list of those at risk for severe disease who should take extra precautions. Relatedly, there is little current data on how COVID-19 affects and may be transmitted to newborns, making it a particular fraught time for childbearing people and families, both with and without additional risk factors for the virus. Currently, there is conflicting and limited evidence about whether the virus is present in the milk of lactating individuals with COVID-19 and whether vertical transmission is possible to the infant via human milk. Several preliminary reports have noted the presence of IgG and IgA antibodies against COVID-19 in the milk of lactating women who currently or previously tested positive for COVID-19, suggesting that human milk may confer protection against the virus. Given the lack of clear-cut evidence, the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) have published somewhat differing guidance on breastfeeding/chest feeding among COVID-19–positive parents. The WHO states:
Untangling nets: elucidating the diversity and phylogeny of the clathrate brown algal genus Hydroclathrus, with the description of a new genus Tronoella (Scytosiphonaceae, Phaeophyceae)

Abstract: Among the distinctive members of the brown algal family Scytosiphonaceae is the genus Hydroclathrus, which is primarily distinguished by its clathrate (net-like) appearance. Hydroclathrus, despite being seasonal and species poor, is a conspicuous floristic component in many tropical to warm temperate coasts. However, compared with other closely related genera, such as Colpomenia and Rosenvingea, Hydroclathrus remains poorly known; its taxonomy remains problematic, as information on the molecular phylogenetic relationships of the species is still scarce. We attempted to bridge these gaps by describing the diversity and molecular phylogeny of Hydroclathrus based on morphological and genetic (mitochondrial cox1 and cox3 and plastidial psaA and rbcL genes) data. We recognised four Hydroclathrus species: H. clathratus, H. stephanosorus, H. tenuis and H. minutus sp. nov., which is morphologically cryptic to H. tenuis. A new clathrate genus, Tronoella ryukyuana gen. & sp. nov., is also erected based on specimens from southern Japan. Tronoella is primarily distinguished from Hydroclathrus in possessing (1) highly convoluted thalli with branches that are sometimes slightly twisted and/or interadhesive; (2) siphonous protrusions that grow randomly and in various directions, later on becoming perforated branches with revolute margins; and (3) plurangia that are firmly coherent and massive. Our results highlight the need to re-evaluate the identity of the species reported as H. clathratus and H. tenuis and underscore the need to re-examine the taxonomy and systematics of the family Scytosiphonaceae.
Tactile Vigilance Is Stressful and Demanding

Objective The primary aims of the study were to replicate the vigilance decrement in the tactile modality, examine whether a decrease in sensitivity is associated with the decrement, and determine whether tactile vigilance is stressful and demanding. Background When people monitor occasional and unpredictable signals for sustained durations, they experience a decline in performance known as the vigilance decrement, which has important practical consequences. Prior studies of the vigilance decrement focused primarily on visual vigilance and, to a lesser degree, on auditory vigilance. There are relatively few studies of tactile vigilance. Method Participants monitored vibrotactile stimuli that were created from a tactor, for 40 min. Results Sensitivity declined, self-report ratings of distress increased, and ratings of task engagement decreased, during the vigil, and perceived workload was moderately high. Conclusion Monitoring tactile signals is demanding and stressful and results in a decrement in signal detection. Application Monitoring tactile signals may result in a decrement in tasks requiring discrimination, such as monitoring lane position with the use of rumble strips; these require discrimination between current road vibration and increased vibration when the car drifts out of its lane and crosses over the strip.
Utility of DSM-5 Criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has called for further research on Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) by placing it in Section III of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5). Research on prevalence, risk factors, and development of criteria for a diagnosis of IGD is mixed in the literature. This study sought to contribute to these topics by examining a diverse sample of Internet gamers (N = 1,881) from around the world. Results showed a prevalence rate of 4.2%, with varying prevalence rates based on demographic characteristics. Significant risk factors for IGD included gender and hours spent gaming. Finally, frequency counts of IGD criteria showed significant differences between participants meeting IGD criteria and those not meeting criteria, as well as significant differences by gender and age. Low frequency counts and significant differences based on demographics point to criteria that may be less appropriate for a diagnosis, as well as considerations for diagnosing diverse populations. Limitations and future research are discussed.
The Effect of Day of the Week on Morbidity and Mortality From Colorectal and Pancreatic Surgery.

BACKGROUND A number of studies have revealed higher postoperative mortality after operations that were performed toward the end of the week. It is not yet known whether a day-of-the-week effect exists after visceral surgical procedures for cancer in Germany. METHODS Data on resections of carcinomas of the colon, rectum (2010-2017), and head of the pancreas (2014-2017) (n = 19 703) that had been prospectively acquired by the Study, Documentation, and Quality Center of the German Society for General and Visceral Surgery were analyzed in relation to the day of the week on which the operation was performed. The primary endpoint was postoperative 30-day mortality; the secondary endpoints were complications, length of hospital stay, and MTL30 (a combined outcome criterion that is positive if the patient has died, is still in the hospital, or has been transferred to another acute care hospital 30 days after the index procedure). RESULTS Resections of colon carcinomas that were performed on Mondays were associated with more advanced tumor stages (T4: 18.4% vs. 15.7%, p <0.001), higher 30-day mortality (3.5% vs. 2.3%, p = 0.004), and a more frequently positive MTL30 (10.5% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.004). Among patients who underwent pancreatic head resections, those whose procedures were on Tuesday had higher mortality (6.2% vs. 3.8%; p = 0.021). Among those who underwent surgery for rectal carcinoma, the day of the week on which the procedure was performed had no effect on postoperative morality. Multivariate analysis revealed that the independent risk factors for postoperative mortality were colonic resection on a Monday (odds ratio [OR]: 1.45; 95% confidence interval [1.11; 1.92], p = 0.008) and pancreatic head resection on a Tuesday (OR: 1.88 [1.18; 2.91], p = 0.006). CONCLUSION Elective surgery for carcinoma of the colon or pancreatic head is associated with slightly higher mortality if per - formed toward the beginning of the week. On the other hand, the day of the week has no effect on the outcome of surgery for rectal carcinoma.
Safety and effectiveness of acupuncture for POSEIDON patients in IVF/ICSI

Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for POSEIDON patients undergoing IVF/ICSI. Methods: and analysis We will electronically search Pubmed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biomedical Literature Database, China Science Journal Database and Wan-fang Database from their inception. Also, we will manually retrieve other resources, including reference lists of identified publications, conference articles, and grey literature. The clinical randomized controlled trials or quasi randomized controlled trials related to acupuncture treatment for POSEIDON patients in IVF/ICSI will be included in the study. The language is limited to Chinese and English. Research selection, data extraction, and research quality assessment will be independently completed by two researchers. Data were synthesized by using a fixed effect model or random effect model depend on the heterogeneity test. The clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR) will be the primary outcomes. The ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage rate (MR) and adverse events will also be assessed as secondary outcomes. RevMan V.5. 3 statistical software will be used for meta-analysis, and the level of evidence will be assessed by Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Continuous data will be expressed in the form of weighted mean difference or standardized mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), while dichotomous data will be expressed in the form of relative risk with 95% CIs. Ethics and dissemination: The protocol of this systematic review (SR) does not require ethical approval because it does not involve humans. We will publish this article in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences. Systematic review registration: OSF Registries, DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/6WP2F (https://osf.io/6wp2f)
Double trouble: combined cardiovascular effects of particulate matter exposure and coronavirus disease 2019

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly grown into a pandemic. According to initial reports, the lungs were thought to be the primary target, but recent case studies have shown its reach can extend to other organs including the heart and blood vessels. The severity of cardiac complications of COVID-19 depends on multiple underlying factors, with air pollutant exposure being one of them, as reported by several recent studies. Airborne particulate matter (PM) attracts heightened attention due to its implication in various diseases, especially respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Inhaled PM not only carries microorganisms inside the body but also elicits local and systemic inflammatory responses resulting in altering the host’s immunity and increasing susceptibility to infection. Previous and recent studies have documented that PM acts as a ‘carrier’ for the virus and aids in spreading viral infections. This review presents the mechanisms and effects of viral entry and how pollution can potentially modulate pathophysiological processes in the heart. We aimed to concisely summarize studies examining cardiovascular outcomes in COVID-19 patients and postulate on how PM can influence these outcomes. We have also reviewed evidence on the use of renin–angiotensin system inhibitors, namely angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, in patients with COVID-19. The interplay of pollution and SARS-CoV-2 is essential to understanding the effects of accentuated cardiovascular effects of COVID-19 and deserves in-depth experimental investigations.