Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Baltic Sea Holocene evolution based on OSL and radiocarbon dating: evidence from a sediment core from the Arkona Basin (the southwestern Baltic Sea)

Abstract The paper presents the chronology of the Holocene evolution of the Baltic Sea based on the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and radiocarbon dating methods applied to a core taken from the Arkona Basin. The dating results were supplemented by grain size and geochemical analysis. The obtained results of OSL and radiocarbon dating enabled the construction of an age-depth model and confirmed the continuous sedimentation since 9900 cal yrs BP. One of the most interesting findings of this study is a clear relationship between the rate of sedimentation and fluctuations in the energy of depositional environment. The analyzed sediment core revealed two sections of different accumulation rates. The bottom section was deposited until 2700 cal yrs BP when the Ancylus Lake and the Littorina Sea were present, characterized by the accumulation rate estimated at around 0.46 mm year-1 and the dynamic sedimentation environment confirmed by grain size parameters. The accumulation rate at the top section deposited during the Post-Littorina Sea stage was estimated at around 1 mm year-1. This stage, characterized by more stable deposition and lower-energy environment conditions, was confirmed by small grain size, symmetric skewness and increasing content of organic matter.
Prediction of the South China Sea Dipole Using SSA-MEM

ABSTRACT A dipole structure appears in the sea surface height off the central coast of Vietnam during boreal summer in the South China Sea. This dipole, which possesses a chlorophyll signature associated with higher phytoplankton concentrations arising from nutrient upwelling, is important for the productivity of local fisheries. Multi-satellite sea level anomalies are used to investigate the life cycle of the dipole structure. By applying empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, the third EOF mode (EOF 3) is found to represent the major variations of the dipole structure. By removing the temporal noise of EOF 3, a South China Sea dipole index is defined. This index captures the life cycle of the dipole including its generation, mature strength, and final termination. Both one-dimensional and two-dimensional forecasts are generated using a statistical forecasting method that combines singular-spectrum analysis and the maximum entropy method. The appearance of the dipole structure can be predicted with an accuracy of 78% at one-month lead times and an accuracy of 61% at one-year lead times.
Diagnosis of human brucellosis: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Brucellosis, a widely spread zoonotic disease, poses significant diagnostic challenges due to its non-specific symptoms and underreporting. Timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective patient management and public health control. However, a comprehensive comparative review of available diagnostic tests is lacking. Methodology/Principal findings This systematic review addressed the following question: ‘What is the accuracy of the available tests to confirm human brucellosis? ’ Two independent reviewers examined articles published up to January 2023. The review included original studies reporting symptomatic patients with brucellosis suspicion, through any index test, with sensitivity and/or specificity as outcomes. As exclusion criteria were considered: sample size smaller than 10 patients, studies focusing on complicated brucellosis, and those lacking essential information about index or comparator tests. Sensitivity and specificity were assessed, with consideration for the index test, and ‘culture’ and ‘culture and standard tube agglutination test (SAT)’ were used as reference standards. Bias assessment and certainty of evidence were carried out using the QUADAS-2 and GRADE tools, respectively. A total of 38 studies reporting diagnostic test performance for human brucellosis were included. However, the evidence available is limited, and significant variability was observed among studies. Regarding the reference test, culture and/or SAT are deemed more appropriate than culture alone. Rose Bengal, IgG/IgM ELISA, and PCR exhibited equally high performances, indicating superior overall diagnostic accuracy, with very low certainty of the evidence. Conclusions/Significance This systematic review underscores the potential of the Rose Bengal test, IgG/IgM ELISA, and PCR as promising diagnostic tools for brucellosis. However, the successful implementation and recommendations for their use should consider the local context and available resources. The findings highlight the pressing need for standardization, improved reporting, and ongoing advancements in test development to enhance the accuracy and accessibility of brucellosis diagnosis.
Riparian and microhabitat factors determine the structure of the EPT community in Andean headwater rivers of Ecuador

This research was conducted in the high‐Andean basin of the Zhurucay River in southern Ecuador. In 4 river reaches, 19 sampling campaigns were conducted per reach spread over a period of 35 months. The biotic samples were selected in the periods with greatest flow stability. Parallel to each sampling, 37 environmental variables grouped into 3 factors (riparian corridor, hydromorphology, and water quality) were recorded. The study aimed to analyse during periods of stable flow the influence of these environmental factors on the structure and density of the EPT community (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera) in a quasi‐pristine aquatic ecosystem. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that the Froude number, gravel type, and width/depth ratio are the most relevant hydromorphological variables explaining variations in EPT density. Xiphocentronidae, Contulma, and Helicopsyche were observed to have a relationship with the order of the river, while Ochrotrichia, Nectopsyche, and Phylloicus varied with the type of riparian vegetation. Phylloicus, Ochrotrichia, and Nectopsyche were common in lentic sites, while the proportion of gravel and the width/depth ratio restricted the genus Helicopsyche. The only relevant water quality factor was the total phosphorus, which was related with 2 taxa. In conclusion, although macroinvertebrates are currently employed in water quality studies, riparian vegetation and hydromorphological factors are determinant for their communities in pristine Andean rivers. Such factors are therefore crucial in the study of environmental flows and the assessment of the ecological integrity.
The association of reproductive hormones, thyroid function, and vitamin levels with premature ejaculation: A prospective case-control study

Purpose To investigate whether serum hormone (testosterone, prolactin, gonadotropins, and thyroid hormones) and vitamin (vitamin B12, folic acid, and vitamin D) levels are associated with premature ejaculation (PE). Materials and Methods This prospective case-control study included 126 patients with PE (lifelong PE [LPE] in 94 and acquired PE [APE] in 32) who presented to the urology outpatient clinic between April 2016 and January 2023 and 92 healthy men as a control group. The diagnosis of PE was based on the criteria defined by the International Society for Sexual Medicine. Serum total testosterone (TT), free and bioavailable testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine, thyroxine (fT4), vitamin B12, folic acid, and vitamin D levels were measured. Results Serum TT, fT4, and vitamin D levels were significantly higher in patients with PE than in the control group (p=0.022, p=0.002, and p=0.044, respectively). However, the serum vitamin B12 level was significantly lower in the PE group (p=0.021). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, only vitamin B12 was found to be an independent risk factor for PE, with an estimated odds ratio of 0.997 (95% confidence interval 0.994–0.999, p=0.036). Conclusions This study demonstrated that lower vitamin B12 levels are associated with the presence of PE. Therefore, we believe that it would be beneficial to consider vitamin B12 levels in the evaluation of patients with PE.
Knowledge and Barriers to Safe Disposal of Pharmaceutical Products Entering the Environment

Knowledge and Barriers to Safe Disposal of Pharmaceutical Products Entering the Environment by Aldo F. Fidora MS, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 1997 MPH, University of South Florida, 1991 BS, State University of New York, 1990 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health—Epidemiology
Early Eocene Radiolarian Fauna from the Sangdanlin, Southern Tibet: Constraints on the Timing of Initial India‐Asia Collision

This is a new report on the early Eocene radiolarian fauna from the Sangdanlin section in the Gyirong region, along the southern margin of the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone. The Sangdanlin section measured in this study is divided into three lithostratigraphic units from bottom to top: the Zongzhuo, Sangdanlin, and Zheya formations. Abundant radiolarian fossils were obtained from the Sangdanlin section and 54 species of 30 genera were identified and assigned as follows: Cryptamphorella conara‐C. macropora the late Cretaceous Zone and Amphisphaera coronate, Buryella tetradica‐Bekoma campechensis, and B. bidartensis‐B. divaricata the Paleocene‐early Eocene Interval Zones. The Paleocene‐early Eocene radiolarian zones are comparable to the radiolarian zones RP4‐RP8 in New Zealand. Based on the data of radiolaria and lithofacies, it is suggested that the Zongzhuo Formation should be deposited along the base of the north‐facing, continental slope of the Greater Indian continental margin, and the Sangdanlin Formation should be a deep marine, sedimentary sequence located in a foreland basin. The early Eocene radiolarian fauna in the Sangdanlin Formation constrains the initial age of the India‐Asia collision to no later than 53.6 Ma.
Modeling skeletal dysplasia in Hurler syndrome using patient-derived bone marrow osteoprogenitor cells

Dysostosis multiplex is a major cause of morbidity in Hurler syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis type IH [MPS IH], OMIM #607014) because currently available therapies have limited success in its prevention and reversion. Unfortunately, the elucidation of skeletal pathogenesis in MPS IH is limited by difficulties in obtaining bone specimens from pediatric patients and poor reproducibility in animal models. Thus, the application of experimental systems that can be used to dissect cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the skeletal phenotype of MPS IH patients and to identify effective therapies is highly needed. Here, we adopted in vitro/in vivo systems based on patient-derived bone marrow stromal cells to generate cartilaginous pellets and bone rudiments. Interestingly, we observed that heparan sulphate accumulation compromised the remodeling of MPS IH cartilage into other skeletal tissues and other critical aspects of the endochondral ossification process. We also noticed that MPS IH hypertrophic cartilage was characterized by dysregulation of signaling pathways controlling cartilage hypertrophy and fate, extracellular matrix organization, and glycosaminoglycan metabolism. Our study demonstrates that the cartilaginous pellet–based system is a valuable tool to study MPS IH dysostosis and to develop new therapeutic approaches for this hard-to-treat aspect of the disease. Finally, our approach may be applied for modeling other genetic skeletal disorders.
Decadal‐ to Centennial‐Scale East Asian Summer Monsoon Variability Over the Past Millennium: An Oceanic Perspective

The East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) is a key component of the Asian Monsoon system affecting regional precipitation in East Asia and thus human culture, society, and development. Despite this, decadal‐ to centennial‐scale EASM dynamics remain poorly understood over the last millennium. Here we used high‐resolution benthic microfossil proxies to reconstruct EASM variability for the last 1,000 years from a brackish lake in South Korea. We compared this EASM record with Asian Monsoon proxy records from East China (i.e., continental proxy) and East Asian coasts (i.e., oceanic setting), and identified four pervasive EASM strengthening events at 1250, 1450, 1550, and 1900 CE and their deviation, likely related to land‐ocean temperature gradients. Our results indicate that data from the oceanic setting under the direct influence of the Pacific High are important in understanding the EASM dynamics over the last millennium. It is also noteworthy that EASM variability shows striking similarity to changes in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, implying the causal relationship.
A retrospective observational study

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has became a major problem affecting global health security. To assess the differences and dynamic changes of blood coagulation function in COVID-19 patients with different severity. A total of 261 COVID-19 patients from January 24 to March 25, 2020 in Huangshi, Hubei Province were enrolled. We designed a retrospective observational study. Clinical information, including age, blood routine and blood coagulation function, were collected. According to the Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines for COVID-19 (seventh version) that issued by the National Health Committee of the People’s Republic of China, patients were divided into 3 subgroups: 186 ordinary, 45 severe and 30 critical ones. We compared the differences in blood coagulation factors among groups. Average age in critical group (71.47±11.48 years) was the oldest of 3 subgroups. At admission, statistically differences could be observed among ordinary, severe and critical patients in D-dimer (0.18±0.33, 0.63±1.13 and 1.16±1.58mg/L), fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products (FDP) (3.11±5.30, 9.82±23.91 and 21.94±40.98mg/ml), platelet [(169±62.85), (188±71.56) and (117± 38.31) 10/L)] and lymphocyte count [(1.18±0.46), (0.82±0.35) and (0.75±0.39) 10/L)], respectively (P< .05). During hospitalization, the peak values of coagulation and valley values of blood routine were monitored. There were significant differences among ordinary, severe and critical patients in D-dimer (0.26±0.46, 1.39±1.51 and 2.89±1.68mg/L), FDP (3.29±5.52, 23.68± 39.07 and 56.11±49.94mg/ml), platelet [(164±55.53), (171±69.96) and (84±57.80) 10/L)] and lymphocyte count [(1.10± 0.46), (0.65±0.35) and (0.55±0.31) 10/L)], respectively (P< .001). D-dimer and FDP in the course of disease in severe/critical groups showed a first upward and then downward trend. We concluded that coagulation function indexes such as D-dimer and FDP could be served asmarkers to estimate COVID-19 patients condition. Close monitoring of coagulation function may be helpful for early diagnosis of severe patients and guidance of treatments. Abbreviations: COVID-19=Coronavirus Disease 2019, SARS-CoV-2= Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, WHO = World Health Organization, ARDS = acute respiratory distress syndrome, MOF = multiple organ failure, RT-PCR = real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, SD = standard deviation, SEM = standard error of the mean, DIC = disseminated intravascular coagulation, ICU = intensive care unit, FIB = fibrinogen, FDP = fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products, PLT = platelet, LYM = lymphocyte.
Using timeliness metrics for household contact tracing and TB preventive therapy in the private sector, India.

BACKGROUNDAlthough screening of household contacts (HHCs) of TB patients and provision of TB preventive therapy (TPT) is a key intervention to end the TB epidemic, their implementation globally is dismal. We assessed whether introducing a '7-1-7' timeliness metric was workable for implementing HHC screening among index patients with pulmonary TB diagnosed by private providers in Chennai, India, between November 2022 and March 2023.METHODSThis was an explanatory mixed-methods study (quantitative-cohort and qualitative-descriptive). RESULTSThere were 263 index patients with 556 HHCs. In 90% of index patients, HHCs were line-listed within 7 days of anti-TB treatment initiation. Screening outcomes were ascertained in 48% of HHCs within 1 day of line-listing. Start of anti-TB treatment, TPT or a decision to receive neither was achieved in 57% of HHC within 7 days of screening. Overall, 24% of screened HHCs in the '7-1-7' period started TPT compared with 16% in a historical control (P < 0.01). Barriers to achieving '7-1-7' included HHC reluctance for evaluation or TPT, refusal of private providers to prescribe TPT and reliance on facility-based screening of HHCs instead of home visits by health workers for screening.CONCLUSIONSIntroduction of a timeliness metric is a workable intervention that adds structure to HHC screening and timely management.
Receiver functions from seismic interferometry: a practical guide

IRIS Data Services are funded through the Seismological Facilities for the Advancement of Geoscience and EarthScope (SAGE) Proposal of the National Science Foundation under Cooperative Agreement EAR-1261681. We thank the universities of Oregon, California at Berkeley, Rice and the Earthscope program of the National Science Foundation for acquiring and providing the FAME waveform data. B.T. was funded by a Delegation CNRS and Conge pour Recherches et Conversion Thematique from the Universite de Lyon to visit the Research School of Earth Sciences (RSES), The Australian National University (ANU). We thank the CNRS, the Universite de Lyon, and ANU, for providing the funding and research environment.
A continuous map of near-surface S-wave attenuation in New Zealand

Quantifying the near-surface attenuation of seismic waves at a given location can be important for seismic hazard analysis of high-frequency ground motion. This study calculates the site attenuation parameter, κ0, at 41 seismograph locations in New Zealand. Combined with results of a previous study, a total of 46 κ0 values are available across New Zealand. The results compare well with previous t* studies, revealing high attenuation in the volcanic arc and forearc ranges, and low attenuation in the South Island. However, for site-specific seismic hazard analyses, there is a need to calculate κ0 at locations away from a seismograph location. For these situations, it is common to infer κ0 from weak correlations with the shear wave velocity in the top 30 m, VS30, or to adopt an indicative regional value. This study attempts to improve on this practice. Geostatistical models of the station-specific κ0 data are developed, and continuous maps are derived using ordinary kriging. The obtained κ0 maps can provide a median κ0 and its uncertainty for any location in New Zealand, which may be useful for future site-specific seismic hazard analyses.
Evidence for cytoprotective autophagy in response to HER2-targeted monoclonal antibodies.

The advent of HER2-targeted monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab has significantly improved the clinical outcomes for patients with breast cancer overexpressing HER2, and more recently also for gastric cancers. However, the development of resistance, as is frequently the case for other antineoplastic modalities, constrains clinical efficacy. Multiple molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways have been investigated for their potential involvement in the development of resistance to HER2-targeted therapies, among which is autophagy. Autophagy is an inherent cellular mechanism whereby cytoplasmic components are selectively degraded to maintain cellular homeostasis via the generation of energy and metabolic intermediates. Although the cytoprotective form of autophagy is thought to predominate, other forms of autophagy have also been identified in response to chemotherapeutic agents in various tumor models; these include cytotoxic, cytostatic, and non-protective functional forms of autophagy. In this review, we provide an overview of the autophagic machinery induced in response to HER2-targeted monoclonal antibodies, with a focus on trastuzumab and trastuzumab-emtansine, in an effort to determine whether autophagy targeting or modulation could be translated clinically to increase their effectiveness and/or overcome resistance development. Significance Statement This manuscript is one in a series of papers that investigate the different roles of the autophagic machinery induced in response to versatile anti-neoplastic agents in various cancer models. This series designed in an attempt to build a conclusion whether autophagy targeting or modulation is an effective adjuvant strategy to increase the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. In this review, we shed the light on the relationship between the autophagic machinery and HER2 targeted therapies.
Relationship between Exotic Plant Species Richness, Native Vegetation and Climate in Forest Ecosystems of Chile

In this chapter, we evaluated how native species cover, native species richness, and foliage periodicity of forests are related to exotic species richness in different forest ecosystems distributed through the Mediterranean-type and temperate climate regions of Chile. We compiled published and unpublished data on Chilean vegetation (mainly phytosociological studies) located between 30º and 41º S in which plant species composition and abundance (percentage of cover) per plot was evaluated and published. When all forests were analysed together, we found that exotic species richness was not significantly related to native species richness; it was negatively related to native species cover in both Mediterranean and temperate climatic regions and was greater in deciduous than evergreen forests, although only in the temperate region. In an analysis considering separately every forest type, we observed that only in 50% of these communities, exotic species richness was negatively related to native species cover. Furthermore, in 25% of forest types, exotic species richness was negatively related to native species richness, and in only one forest type, this relationship was positive. Our results suggest that native species produce some resistance against invasion of exotic plants, but this effect may depend on climate and forest type.
Notes on the natural history of Enaphalodes archboldi Lingafelter and Chemsak, 2002 and E. bingkirki Lingafelter and Santos-Silva, 2018 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

The life history of Enaphalodes archboldi Lingafelter and Chemsak (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is described in detail based on observations from Marion County, Florida. Notes on the life history of Enaphalodes bingkirki Lingafelter and Santos-Silva from Honduras are also provided. Enaphalodes bingkirki is reported from Honduras for the first time.
Ecosystem Services across US Watersheds: A Meta-Analysis of Studies 2000–2014

Despite increasing awareness on the importance of rivers in maintaining human well- being, there has not been a comprehensive inventory of watershed-scale ecosystem services across the USA. Here, we analyze and summarize the scientific literature within the context of the supply and demand for ecosystem services across 18 major watersheds of the continental US. We reviewed 305 articles and found that 68 provided infor- mation on both the biophysical delivery (supply) and the sociocultural and economic values (demand) of ecosystem services. Maintaining populations and habitats, water fil - tration, and nutrient sequestration/storage were the most extensively assessed services, while educational and aesthetic values were the least frequently studied. Biophysical assessments were the most frequent valuation followed by economic approaches. The majority of the studies were conducted in the eastern US, while the region least studied was the southwest. In addition to identifying the knowledge gaps in watershed-scale ecosystem services, we highlight the need for a common framework for assessing eco- system services that includes both the assessment of the supply and demand of ecosystem services provided by US watersheds. There is an urgent need to incorporate the role that cultural services and values can play in water resources management and planning in the USA.