Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Social Disadvantage, Politics, and SARS-CoV-2 Trends: A County-Level Analysis of United States Data

Background: Understanding the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 is essential for public health control efforts. Social, demographic, and political characteristics at the US county level might be associated with the trajectories of SARS-CoV-2 case incidence. Objective: To understand how underlying social, demographic, and political characteristics at the US county level might be associated with the trajectories of SARS-CoV-2 case incidence. Design: Retrospective analysis of the trajectory of reported SARS-CoV-2 case counts at the US county level during June 1, 2020 - June 30,2020 and social, demographic, and political characteristics of the county. Setting: United States. Participants: Reported SARS-CoV-2 cases. Exposures: Metropolitan designation, Social Deprivation Index (SDI), 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Victory. Main Outcomes and Measures: SARS-CoV-2 case incidence. Results: 1023/3142 US counties were included in the analysis. 678 (66.3%) had increasing SARS-CoV-2 case counts between June 1 - June 30, 2020. In univariate analysis, counties with increasing case counts had a significantly higher SDI (median 48, IQR 24 - 72) than counties with non-increasing case counts (median 40, IQR 19 - 66; p=0.009). In the multivariable model, metropolitan areas of 250,000 - 1 million population, higher percentage of Black residents and a 10-point or greater Republican victory were independently associated with increasing case counts. Limitations: The data examines county-level voting patterns and does not account for individual voting behavior, subjecting this work to the potential for ecologic fallacy. Conclusion: Increasing case counts of SARS-CoV-2 in the US are likely driven by a combination of social disadvantage, social networks, and behavioral factors. Addressing social disadvantage and differential belief systems that may correspond with political alignment will be essential for pandemic control.
Effectiveness of COCOA, a COVID-19 contact notification application, in Japan

Background: COCOA, a contact reporting application in Japan, was launched at the end of June 2020. Object: We assessed effectiveness of COCOA. Method: After developing a simple susceptible-infected-recovery model with COCOA and voluntary restrictions against going out (VRG), we assumed that COCOA can reduce infectiousness by 10-50% points through self-quarantine at home after receiving notification from COCOA. Results: COCOA alone is insufficient to halt an outbreak. Even if the entire population were to use COCOA, the reproduction number would be 1.31. However, if VRG were 15%, about half of the maximum VRG effectiveness under the emergency state declaration, then 10% COCOA use by a population can reduce the reproduction number to less than one. Conclusion: Significant effects of COCOA for reducing the reproduction number were found. However, without VRG, COCOA alone is insufficient to control an outbreak.
Municipality-Level Predictors of COVID-19 Mortality in Mexico: A Cautionary Tale

Background. Inequalities and burden of comorbidities of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vary importantly inside the countries. We aimed to analyze the Municipality-level factors associated with a high COVID-19 mortality rate of in Mexico. Methods. We retrieved information from 142,643 cumulative confirmed symptomatic cases and 18,886 deaths of COVID-19 as of June 20th, 2020 from the publicly available database of the Ministry of Health of Mexico. Public official data of the most recent census and surveys of the country were used to adjust a negative binomial regression model with the quintiles (Q) of the distribution of sociodemographic and health outcomes among 2,457 Municipality-level. Expected Mortality Rates (EMR), Incidence Rate Ratios (IRR) and 95% Confidence Intervals are reported. Results. Factors associated with high MR of COVID-19, relative to Quintile 1 (Q1), were; diabetes prevalence (Q4, IRR=2.60), obesity prevalence (Q5, IRR=1.93), diabetes mortality rate (Q5, IRR=1.58), proportion of indigenous population (Q2, IRR=1.68), proportion of economically active population (Q5, IRR=1.50), density of economic units that operate essential activities (Q4, IRR=1.54) and population density (Q5, IRR=2.12). We identified 1,351 Municipality-level without confirmed COVID-19 deaths, of which, 202 had nevertheless high (Q4, Mean EMR= 8.0 deaths per 100,000) and 82 very high expected COVID-19 mortality (Q5, Mean EMR= 13.8 deaths per 100,000). Conclusion. This study identified 1,351 Municipality-level of Mexico that, in spite of not having confirmed COVID-19 deaths yet, share characteristics that could eventually lead to a high mortality scenario later in the epidemic and warn against premature easing of mobility restrictions. Local information should be used to reinforce strategies of prevention and control of outbreaks in communities vulnerable to COVID-19. Keywords: COVID-19; risk factors; social determinants; health determinants; Municipality-level; counties.
Current situation’s analysis of the problem in intensive care of complicated community-acquired pneumonias in children.

INTRODUCTION: The leading place in the nosological structure of pathology in the lower respiratory tract is pneumonia. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains one of the most common causes of childhood morbidity and accounts for about 16% of all deaths in children under 5 years old. The article presents a review of publications of recent years using the databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar regarding the current possibilities of intensive care of complicated community-acquired pneumonia (CCAP), problems of using extracorporeal detoxication methods (ECDM), the choice of starting antibacterial therapy and microbiological monitoring and the problem of determining the severity of endogenous intoxication syndrome in children with CCAP.
Sex Differences in Clinical Characteristics and Platelet Activation in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis

Isabella Tarissi De Jacobis1#, Rosa Vona2#, Elisabetta Straface2*, Lucrezia Gambardella2, Giulia Ceglie1, Francesca de Gennaro2, Ilenia Pontini1, Anna Chiara Vittucci3, Alessandra Carè2, Camilla Cittadini2, Alberto Villani1#, Donatella Pietraforte4# 1Internal Care Department, General Pediatric and Infectious Disease Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy 2Biomarkers Unit, Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy 3Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy 4Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy #These authors contributed equally to this work
General Reproductive Biology of Bunnei (Barbus sharpeyi Gunther, 1874) in Al Huwaizah Marsh, Basra-Iraq

Some biological aspects of Bunnei (Barbus sharpeyi) spawners were studied to develop successful induced spawning of this species. The population parameters namely length, weight and sex ratio were determined an inland spawning stock Bunnei in the water system of Al Huwaizah Marsh. This migration started with small size fish which were mostly males, followed by a big rush of bigger size length group which were mostly females. The fecundity was increased directly with the size of fish. Gonado Somatic Index (GSI) and maturity stage indicated that spawning time was during March and April.
Values, Benefits, Considerations and Risks of AI in Government

There is currently an ongoing, global race to develop, implement and make use of AI in both the private and public sector. How AI will affect responsibilities and public values to be upheld by government remains to be seen. This paper analyzes how AI is portrayed in Swedish policy documents and what values are attributed to the use of AI, based on an established e-government value framework. Statements are identified in policy documents and are coded into one of four value ideal, as well as being either a benefit, consideration, or risk. We conclude that there is discrepancy in the policy level discourse concerning AI between the different value ideals and that the discourse surrounding AI may be overly optimistic. A more nuanced view of AI in government is needed for creating realistic expectations.
Enforcing Climate Agreements: The Role of Escalating Border Carbon Adjustments

Border carbon adjustments (BCAs) have been suggested as a measure to reduce carbon leakage in the presence of unilateral climate policies and/or to enforce cooperative climate agreements. In an intra-industry trade model, this paper studies whether and under which conditions a sequence of escalating threats of implementing BCA-measures could be successful in enforcing a fully cooperative agreement. We start from a situation where moving from non-cooperative production-based carbon taxes to a socially optimal tax is not attractive to the environmentally less concerned country. We then test whether the threat of imposing BCA-measures, in the form of import tariffs or, additionally, complemented by export rebates, will enforce cooperation. We show that import tariffs are the least distortionary policy instrument but the weakest threat, and import tariffs with a full export rebate is the most distortionary instrument if implemented but the most effective threat to enforce cooperation. In an escalating penalty game, we determine the subgame-perfect equilibrium path along which threats must be deterrent but also credible. We show that BCA-measures help to enforce cooperation, reduce global emissions and are welfare improving if they need to be implemented. However, whenever full cooperation would generate the highest global welfare gains, BCAs fail to establish cooperation, a version of the paradox of cooperation, as proposed by Barrett (1994).
The Tsunami of Cardiometabolic Diseases: An Overview

Cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity and Type-2 diabetes, are a growing concern and have become an epidemic worldwide. A World Health Organization (WHO) report, ‘Global Prevalence of Type-2 diabetes’ estimates incidence of this disease, to be 9% among adults. An estimated 1.5 million death worldwide, were directly caused by diabetes. More than 80% of the Type-2 diabetes-related deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries. Worldwide in 2013, it was estimated that almost 400 million people suffer from diabetes, and this is supposed to reach a high of 600 million by 2035. According to the World Health Organization estimates, the impact of Type-2 diabetes-related health care expenditure, to prevent and manage diabetes and its clinical complications in the USA alone, was USD 360 billion in 2010 and will exceed 360 billion by 2030. WHO predicts losses in national income from Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) to be in equivalents of 557 billion in International Dollars (ID) in China, 303 billion in Russia, and 236 billion in India. Currently, there are 75 million diabetics in India and an equal number of pre-diabetics. The incidence of Type-2 diabetes in China also has reached epidemic proportions. Gulf Countries also have reported a high incidence of diabetes. One of the Global targets for diabetes management was to halt by 2025, the rise in the age-standardized adult prevalence of this disease, at its 2010 levels. However, according a recent publication in the Lancet (April 2016) by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, if the post-2000 trends continue in the increased incidence of type-2 diabetes, the probability of meeting the global target of halting the rise in the prevalence of diabetes by 2025 at the 2020 level worldwide is lower than 1% for men and women. Because of these observations, the best choice we have is, to go by the World Diabetes Federation recommendations, and manage the hyperglycemia efficiently. Besides, develop programs for early detection of altered glucose metabolism, and implement robust strategies for normalization of this altered state. In conclusion, through robust prevention programs, reduce the disease incidence, through better diagnostic tests, detect early risks that initiate or promote clinical complications, and by effective management of the risks, reduce or prevent acute events related to the end-organ failure.
Sisymbrium volgense (Brassicaceae) in the flora of Romania.

Sisymbrium volgense M. Bieb. ex E. Fourn. , native from South-Western Russia, is reported in the flora of Romania. This species was found in the area of the Socola railway station, in the East of Iasi city (North-Eastern Romania). The description and general distribution of the species, as well as some data relating to its biology, ecology and phytosociology are given in the paper. An identification key for this species and other related taxa from the flora of Romania is provided.
Assessing wetland degradation and loss of ecosystem services in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

The Niger Delta, being the most extensive freshwater wetland and aquatic ecosystem in West Africa, provides numerous services both to local people and to the West African economy. Ongoing environmental pressure exerted by large-scale oil extraction and illegal timber logging, however, are suspected to have had a substantial impact on the Delta’s ecosystems over the last decades. Knowledge on impact of these activities on the region’s wetlands now or in the past is scarce and patchy. To address this lack of knowledge, this study assesses spatiotemporal changes in two wetlands in the region by using satellite data from 1984 to 2011 and GIS methods. The results show that both wetlands have experienced substantial degradation, particularly with respect to the area of forest lost. Although comprehensive environmental protection laws were introduced in 1988, ecosystem services of up to US$65 million in value were lost over the study period. The introduction of new legislation in 2007, however, is potentially a first step towards a more ‘wise use’ of wetlands in Nigeria.
Probing the cassiduloid origins of clypeasteroid echinoids using stratigraphically restricted parsimony analysis

Abstract Clypeasteroid echinoids are a familiar and easily defined clade with a cryptic origin. They first appear in the late Paleocene and are believed to have arisen from cassiduloid ancestry, but identifying sister-group relationships more precisely has proved difficult. Two factors are responsible for this problem, the extreme morphological conservatism of cassiduloids, which has given rise to high levels of character exhaustion, and the origin of crown-group clypeasteroids through paedomorphosis. Previous analyses, based on extant representatives alone or including all Mesozoic to Recent genera, have proved unsatisfactory. Here a parsimony analysis is undertaken using a restricted set of all stem-group clypeasteroids and cassiduloid taxa that existed immediately prior to the appearance of crown-group clypeasteroids. Inclusion of Togocyamus, the fossil taxon lying closest to the origin of crown-group clypeasteroids, is phylogenetically uninformative because that taxon is highly paedomorphic and has only generalized juvenile characteristics. However, earlier stem-group plesions provide critical data that identify Apatopygidae as extant sister group to the Clypeasteroida. Stratigraphically restricted analyses cannot eradicate the problems that arise from character exhaustion, but can minimize these with respect to specific phylogenetic questions.
Behaviour and biology of Ovis orientalis (Urial) in Kotal Wildlife Park and Borraka Wildlife Sanctuary in Kohat.

Kotal Wildlife Park and Borraka Wildlife Sanctuary in Kohat were studied for the behavior and biology of Urial. The population of Urial in Kotal Wildlife Park was more (n=20-25) than Borraka Wildlife Sanctuary (n=3-5). Urial (Ovis orientalis) belongs to order Artiodactyla, Family Bovidae and sub family Caprinae. Shapu and Gad were the local names of Urial. The climate was dry, subtropical and influenced by monsoon. It was hot in summer and cold in winter. Rain fall was more than 21 inches (525mm). Mostly grasses, shrubs and branches of Acacia modesta, Monotheca buxifo1ia and Olea spp. were fed. Urial was very shy animal and sensitive behaviors were observed during study in the Park and Sanctuary. It was determined that population was decreasing due to unfavorable circumstances (illegal shooting and poaching) for Urial inside the Park and Wild Life Sanctuary. Key words; Urial, Ovis orientalis, Kotal Wildlife Park and Borraka Wildlife Sanctuary
ASSESSMENT OF DYNAMIC RESPONSE OF OFFSHORE JACKET PLATFORMS SUBJECTS TO RANDOM WAVES

This paper presents a simplified approach to analyze the dynamic response of offshore jacket platform based on Timoshenko beam theory. In the study, the jacket platform is simulated as a non-uniform cantilever beam structure subjects to random waves. The assessment of dynamic performance is based on the power spectral densities, variances and spectral moments due to wave spectrum. A combination of Pseudo-excitation and Ritz method is proposed and adopted, such as the dynamic characteristics of the jacket platform can be solved more efficiently without a need to examine the modes of vibration. The proposed analytical method also provides a more straightforward solution to determine the dynamic response of offshore jacket platforms that meet the required level of engineering practice for preliminary design.
Opportunities and challenges for analysis of wildlife trade using CITES data – seahorses as a case study

In principle, the database generated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) offers an unparalleled opportunity to analyse trade in species of conservation concern. The value of the database is assessed in the context of trade in 47 species of seahorse (Hippocampus spp.), all of which are included on CITES Appendix II. This listing requires that all 180 Parties to CITES (member Parties) limit exports to levels that do not damage wild populations, ensure they are obtained legally, and report their trade to CITES. An evident need for greater universal compliance with CITES reporting requirements was identified. The most glaring problem was a substantial mismatch in species and volumes between export records and import records, indicating that neither dataset is complete nor reliable. The evaluation also showed that Parties should increase compliance with CITES requirements to record all trade shipments, provide units for exports (e.g. individuals, kilograms) and identify exported taxa to species, perhaps supported by automated checking of entries. The challenges with the CITES trade database were more evident for the global trade in dried seahorses than the smaller and more easily-tracked trade in live seahorses. Nonetheless, CITES’ data from 2004–2011 revealed a seahorse trade involving millions of animals, tens of species, and scores of Parties. CITES data have also proven invaluable in supporting CITES reviews of how Parties are implementing the Convention for seahorses, and in generating consequent action for their conservation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of soil data input on catchment streamflow and soil moisture prediction

This study attempts to investigate the impacts of soil data input on hydrologic model performance in simulating streamflow and soil moisture. Two different soil datasets available in Australia were considered: the Digital Atlas of Australian Soil (AoAS) and Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia (SLGA). We quantified the impacts of these two soil databases on hydrologic simulations using Soil Water Assessment tool (SWAT) model. Two separate calibration schemes were set up with two soil databases while keeping other inputs the same. For both cases, SWAT was calibrated to the daily streamflow at the catchment outlet over 2006-2012 (including wet and dry periods) and validated against the dataset over 2013-2015 (wet period), after 3 years warm up period (2003-2005). The soil moisture estimation from calibrated SWAT was then compared with the two radiometric satellite soil moisture products, the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP)-Enhanced 9 km (L3SMP-E) and Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) 25 km gridded (SMOS CATDS L3 SM 3-DAY) obtained during 2015. This study was conducted in Merriwa catchment, located in the upper part of the Goulburn River basin in Upper Hunter Region of NSW. The simulation results showed very little difference in streamflow prediction due to two different soil inputs. Both models showed very similar streamflow patterns (with similar NSE value of ~ 0.61 for calibration and ~ 0.45 for validation), but different soil moisture estimates. When catchment average near surface soil moisture estimates were compared with the satellite soil moisture products, SWAT calibrated with SLGA showed improved results (with R2 value of 0.52 and 0.66 against SMAP-9 km and SMOS-25 km and RMSE of ~10 %) than that with AoAS (with R2 value of 0.35 and 0.49 against SMAP-9 km and SMOS-25 km and RMSE of 18-22 %). The large differences in simulated soil moisture indicate importance of improved soil data input to capture soil moisture change patterns and significantly different water and energy partitioning for the catchment.
Clinical Ordering Practices of the SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Test at a Large Academic Medical Center

Background: The novel severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 originated in December 2019 and has now infected over 3 million people in the United States. In Spring of 2020, private laboratories and some hospitals began antibody testing despite lacking evidence-based guidance. Objective: To describe clinician-described indications for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing, including cost implications, immediately following testing availability. Design: Retrospective chart review of patients who received antibody testing from May 14, 2020 to June 15, 2020. Setting: A large academic medical center, one of the first in the US to provide antibody testing capability to individual clinicians. Patients: 447 consecutive patients who received SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. Measurements: Clinician-described indications for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing, cost implications, and comparison with current expert-based guidance from the IDSA and CDC. Results: Of 444 individual antibody test results meeting inclusion criteria, the two most commonly described indications for ordering the antibody test, apart from public health epidemiology studies (n=223), were for patients with a now resolved COVID-19 compatible illness (n=105) with no previous molecular testing and in asymptomatic patients believed to have had a past exposure or contact with a person with COVID-19 compatible illness (n=60). The rate of positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing among those indications consistent with current IDSA and CDC guidance was 17% compared with 5% (p<0.0001) among those indications inconsistent with current IDSA and CDC guidance. Total cost estimates ranged from $57,720 to $97,680, of which 42% was for testing inconsistent with current expert-based guidance. Limitations: The duration of antibody response following infection is unclear and asymptomatic individuals may not develop a positive antibody response. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate a dissociation between clinician described indications for testing and expert-based guidance and a significantly different rate of positive testing between these two groups. Clinical curiosity and patient preference appear to have played a significant role in testing decisions and substantially contributed to testing costs.
O group is a protective factor for COVID19 in Basque population

ABO blood groups have been related to COVID19 infection. ABO blood groups are slightly differently distributed in the populations and therefore these results should be replicated in the specific areas with a proper control population. In this work, we present data from 412 COVID19 patients and 17796 blood donors from Gipuzkoa, a region in Northern Spain. Our data shows the importance of group O as a protective factor.