Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence-Based Surgery: What Can Intra-Operative Images Contribute?

Evidence-based medicine integrates results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses, combining the best external evidence with individual clinical expertise and patients’ preferences. However, RCTs of surgery differ from those of medicine in that surgical performance is often assumed to be consistent. Yet, evaluating whether each surgery is performed to the same standard is quite challenging. As a primary issue, the novelty of this review is to emphasize—with a focus on orthopedic trauma—the advantage of having complete intra-operative image documentation, allowing the direct evaluation of the quality of the intra-operative technical performance. The absence of complete intra-operative image documentation leads to the inhomogeneity of case series, yielding inconsistent results due to the impossibility of a secondary analysis. Thus, comparisons and the reproduction of studies are difficult. Access to complete intra-operative image data in surgical RCTs allows not only secondary analysis but also comparisons with similar cases. Such complete data can be included in electronic papers. Offering these data to peers—in an accessible link—when presenting papers facilitates the selection process and improves publications for readers. Additionally, having access to the full set of image data for all presented cases serves as a rich resource for learning. It enables the reader to sift through the information and pinpoint the details that are most relevant to their individual needs, allowing them to potentially incorporate this knowledge into daily practice. A broad use of the concept of complete intra-operative image documentation is pivotal for bridging the gap between clinical research findings and real-world applications. Enhancing the quality of surgical RCTs would facilitate the equalization of evidence acquisition in both internal medicine and surgery. Joint effort by surgeons, scientific societies, publishers, and healthcare authorities is needed to support the ideas, implement economic requirements, and overcome the mental obstacles to its realization.
Model of Strengthening Health Literacy and Prevention of Hypertension Based on Family Independence

Abstract Hypertension is often referred to as the silent killer because it is a deadly disease accompanied by early symptoms for people with hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension continues to increase sharply and it is predicted by 2025 as many as 29% of adults, but the tendency to do prevention independently is still low. Prevention of hypertension can’t be separated from the risk factors that exist in the family, including an unhealthy lifestyle. Family involvement in early detection needs to develop and modified so that every family member can reduce risk factors. The brief background of the topic and significance of the study. This study aims to collect information on the family of ability in health literacy as a solution to increase family independence in preventing hypertension. This study is used for research and development (R&D), which is the first of 3 research stages planned to be completed in 3 years. The research design was cross-sectional. The study was conducted on families in Bangkalan Regency with a sample of 150 people from 4 sub-districts representing mountainous, urban, rural, and coastal areas, namely Bangkalan, Kedundung, Sukolilo, and Kokop sub-districts taken by random cluster sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Square Path Modeling. This study has obtained ethically appropriate information through the Research Ethics Committee of the Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health Surabaya with the number EA/940/KEPK-Poltekkes Sby/V/2022. The results show that the demographic characteristics of the family have an effect on health literacy in preventing hypertension. Families with good health literacy can increase independence in preventing hypertension. Families who achieve a high level of independence will be able to prevent hypertension. The use of digital literacy can be a solution to improve people's health literacy skills. Materials from health literacy are made simpler but right on target. Supported by more complex forms of communication such as interactive video. Application usage to advance the knowledge of patients' hypertension can increase the independence of hypertension.
Impact factors and relationships between biodiversity and biomass of different communities in the desert steppe of Ningxia,China

Impact factors and relationships between plant biodiversity and biomass of different communities of desert steppe in an unmodified condition were determined using biodiversity indices,soil physical and chemical factors and assessment of aboveground and underground biomass. The results showed that species richness and diversity varied similarly in different communities. Exponential relationships between aboveground biomass and underground biomass showed that the desert steppe community displayed allometric growth patterns. The response of community richness to aboveground biomass was unimodal,while that to underground biomass was linear. Underground biomass was positively correlated with surface litter. Soil moisture,soil organic carbon,total nitrogen and available nutrients also contributed to underground biomass while soil moisture and soil organic carbon greatly contributed to aboveground biomass. Soil microbial biomass,soil carbon and nitrogen had a significant influence on community diversity indices.
Nutrient Hot Spots in a Sierra Nevada Forest Soil: Temporal Characteristics and Relations to Microbial Communities

Abstract The importance of soil nutrient hot spots is becoming increasingly recognized in terms of both plant nutrition and water quality. Averaging soil nutrient values and eliminating outliers from data sets can obscure important information about the nature and frequency of such hot spots. In this study, soil nutrient hot spots were investigated by sampling forest soils using resin-based methods to capture the effects of leaching and preferential flow followed by destructive O horizon and soil sampling including both nutrient and microbial analyses. Six by six–meter grids (16 grid points at 2-m intervals) were instrumented with UniBest® resin capsules and Western Ag Innovations PRS™ probes in sets of four per grid point at two sites. After the first precipitation event in the fall, two capsules and two probes were removed (referred to as “event samples”), and the remaining two were left in place for the entire winter season and then removed in the following summer (referred to as “season samples”). We hypothesized that hot spots (as indicated by statistical outliers and significant positive skew) would be more prevalent in the event samples than in the season samples because of greater importance of preferential flow during the first event. Data for the resin capsules supported this hypothesis, whereas data for the PRS probes did not. Calcium and Mg2+ values for season samples were significantly greater than those for event samples for both capsules and probes at both sites, as was expected because of the greater exposure to leaching in the season samples. Differences in event and season values for orthophosphate, NO3 -, NH4 +, and K+ varied, however, with some showing season > event, some no significant difference, and some event > season, suggesting a greater role of biological uptake in spring and perhaps the effect of cation exchange on resins. After the removal of the season resin samples, cores of O horizons and surface mineral soils were taken at each grid point and analyzed for total C and N, water-extractable nutrients, and microbial biomass (the latter in the mineral soil only by phospholipid fatty acid analysis). Correlations with microbial biomass measured via phospholipid fatty acid analysis were inconsistent. In summary, we found no consistent pattern of hot spots with season of sampling or microbial biomass. The seasonality of resin-based measurements suggested that ions of N and P were released mostly during the first precipitation event, whereas the reverse was true for Ca and Mg.
Resistive exercise training as an effective method to maintain lung function and functional capacity

Objective: To evaluate pulmonary function and functional capacity in bodybuilding practitioners, comparing them with values predicted for the Brazilian population. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, observational study, carried out among bodybuilding practitioners (N = 45) of both genders, aged between 20 and 60 years, with at least 4 weeks of training. Measurements of lung function (peak expiratory flow) and respiratory strength (maximum respiratory pressures) and functional capacity (6 minutes step test) were performed and compared to normal values predicted for the adult population. The significance level adopted was p< 0.05. Results: There was a statistically significant difference for all outcome variables studied, except for peak expiratory flow values (p = 0.8471). Conclusion: Weight training proved to be an effective method for maintaining maximal respiratory pressures and functional capacity.
Leucine Supplementation Exacerbates Morbidity in Male but Not Female Mice with Colorectal Cancer-Induced Cachexia

Cancer cachexia (CC) is a multifactorial wasting syndrome characterized by a significant loss in lean and/or fat mass and represents a leading cause of mortality in cancer patients. Nutraceutical treatments have been proposed as a potential treatment strategy to mitigate cachexia-induced muscle wasting. However, contradictory findings warrant further investigation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of leucine supplementation on skeletal muscle in male and female ApcMin/+ mice (APC). APC mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates were given normal drinking water or 1.5% leucine-supplemented water (n = 4–10/group/sex). We measured the gene expression of regulators of inflammation, protein balance, and myogenesis. Leucine treatment lowered survival rates, body mass, and muscle mass in males, while in females, it had no effect on body or muscle mass. Leucine treatment altered inflammatory gene expression by lowering Il1b 87% in the APC group and decreasing Tnfa 92% in both WT and APC males, while it had no effect in females (p < 0.05). Leucine had no effect on regulators of protein balance and myogenesis in either sex. We demonstrated that leucine exacerbates moribundity in males and is not sufficient for mitigating muscle or fat loss during CC in either sex in the ApcMin/+ mouse.
Gravitoelectromagnetic Field Strength Tensor in Flat Spacetime Frame: Dynamics of a Gyroscope in the Earth’s Gravitational Field

In this article, we develop gravitoelectromagnetism (GEM) as a formal relativistic theory of gravitation characterized by a field potential fourvector in a flat (Minkowski) spacetime frame. By reorganizing the Lense-Thirring spacetime metric of linearized general relativity, we have determined the appropriate field potential four-vector and the field strength tensor which generates dynamics in the GEM field. The general covariant equation of motion of the spin four-vector of a gyroscope driven by the GEM field strength tensor provides the expected form of the frame-dragging and geodetic effects after introducing a gyromagnetic ratio η = 4 as an internal dynamical property of the gyroscope.
The Abattoir Prevalence and Monetary Loss of Fasciolosis and Hydatidosis among Apparently Healthy Slaughtered Cattle at Asella Town, Ethiopia

: Each year a large loss from slaughtered animals occurs due to condemnation of edible organs such as liver and lung. Fasciolosis and hydatidosis are among the major causes of organ condemnation and monetary losses in slaughtered animals. Therefore this study was conducted to assess the prevalence and monetary importance of organ condemnation and carcass weight loss due to fasciolosis and hydatidosis in cattle that are slaughtered at Asella municipal abattoir, South Eastern Ethiopia, between the periods of November 2014 and April 2015. Out of 399 cattle slaughtered and examined, 69(17.3%) animals had their liver infected due to fasciolosis. The percentage of organs affected during the study period was (38.59%) lung, (22.3%) liver,(1%) heart, (2%) spleen and (2.25%) kidney. Of the total, cattle examined in this study, 230(57.6%) were cattle found to be positive for hydatidosis. The total monetary loss as result of fasciolosis was estimated to be about 2,102,572.8 Ethiopian birr (105128.64 USD). While the annual monetary loss due to organ condemnation and carcass weight loss due to hydatidosis was estimated at about 3,479,679.13Ethiopian birr (173983.96 USD). Total annual monetary loss due to both fasciolosis and hydatidosis was calculated to be 5582251.93Ethiopian birr (279112.6 USD). Thus, fasciolosis and hydatidosis were considerably prevalent disease with serious public health concern reflection and caused visible and invisible losses in cattle in the study area.
Anti-Amyloid Therapy, AD, and ARIA: Untangling the Role of CAA

Anti-amyloid therapies (AATs), such as anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies, are emerging treatments for people with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AATs target amyloid β plaques in the brain. Amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), abnormal signals seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain in patients with AD, may occur spontaneously but occur more frequently as side effects of AATs. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a major risk factor for ARIA. Amyloid β plays a key role in the pathogenesis of AD and of CAA. Amyloid β accumulation in the brain parenchyma as plaques is a pathological hallmark of AD, whereas amyloid β accumulation in cerebral vessels leads to CAA. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of ARIA is necessary for early detection of those at highest risk. This could lead to improved risk stratification and the ultimate reduction of symptomatic ARIA. Histopathological confirmation of CAA by brain biopsy or autopsy is the gold standard but is not clinically feasible. MRI is an available in vivo tool for detecting CAA. Cerebrospinal fluid amyloid β level testing and amyloid PET imaging are available but do not offer specificity for CAA vs amyloid plaques in AD. Thus, developing and testing biomarkers as reliable and sensitive screening tools for the presence and severity of CAA is a priority to minimize ARIA complications.
A Field Investigation of Waves and Wave-induced Currents at the Youngrang Coast of the Republic of Korea

ABSTRACT Kim, K.H. and Shim, K.T. , 2014. A field investigation of waves and wave-induced currents at the Youngrang Coast of the Republic of Korea. An accurate identification of the root cause of beach erosion should be taken in the precedence over designing reliable countermeasures. This study reviews the characteristics of the wave-induced currents by using the observation results on wave and current. The observed patterns were taken from comprehensive observation results which studied characteristics of wave and wave induced current as well as suspended load and bed load. The observations were conducted at the Youngrang Coast in the east coast of Korea. Based on the field observation results, Youngrang Coast has intermittently shown the occurrence of high waves due to winter monsoons. Affected by the high waves, the wave-induced currents have shown to exist inside the wave-breaking zone with a current velocity of 0.5–1 m/s. Such strong wave-induced currents are considered to be acting the main source of winter longshore sediment transport and beach erosion.
Comparing Species Diversity in the Modern and Fossil Record of Lakes

Lake faunal diversity has been the focus of many modern studies; however, there have been few studies comparing the lacustrine diversity in the modern and fossil record. Whether or not this comparison is possible is dependent on preservation. By comparing the exceptional preservation of the Konservat Lagerstätten of the Eocene Green River Formation with its various modern analogs in East Africa, unique factors controlling diversity within a lake system can be determined. Such factors would include lake surface area, lake longevity, productivity, and lake type. In order to effectively compare lake diversity in the modern and fossil record, we first estimated the potential preservational bias of the fauna from modern Lake Tanganyika and determined that, at maximum, approximately 43.8% of species, 59.3% of genera, and 65.8% of families would be identifiable. With this taphonomic filter in place, we compared fish species diversity versus lake area; no strong relationship was found. Faunal species diversity versus lake longevity was shown to correlate in long‐lived lakes both in a modern and geologic context. When including modern lakes into this comparison, the correlation is not as strong, possibly because of the limited life span of these lakes. Lake Tanganyika was comparable to lakes in the geologic record, after the taphonomic filter was applied. Finally, to test the relationship between species and lake type and productivity, the underfilled, balanced‐filled, and overfilled lake basin model of Carroll, Bohacs, and coworkers was used as a basis for comparison between the fauna found in lake deposits within the Green River Formation and modern lakes from East Africa.
Genetic analysis and improvement of pearl millet for rust resistance and grain yield in Uganda.

i Declaration iii Acknowledgement iv Dedication v List of Tables xi List of Figures xiii Acronyms xv Introduction 1 Importance of pearl millet 1 Constraints to pearl millet production 3 Rationale for improving locally adapted pearl millet germplasm 6 Research objectives 7 Specific objectives 7 Research hypotheses 8 Structure of the thesis 8 References 9 Chapter One 13 Literature Review 13 1.
Recent Changes in Areal Extent of the Devon Ice Cap, Nunavut, Canada

Abstract Image data from the years 1959/1960 and 1999/2000 reveal a 2.4% decrease in the surface area of the Devon Ice Cap, Nunavut, over the last 40 yr. This has resulted primarily from extensive retreat of tidewater glacier margins on the eastern side of the ice cap, and shrinkage of its near-stagnant southwestern arm. Thinning of the ice cap has also increased bedrock exposure in the ice cap interior. However, since 1960 the northwestern margin of the ice cap has advanced slightly. Volume loss associated with these changes was estimated at −67 ± 12 km3 as calculated from two independent techniques. A digital elevation model (DEM) of the ice cap surface was used to delineate interior ice divides allowing patterns of change to be investigated at the drainage basin scale. Strong correlation between the hypsometric characteristics of drainage basins and the observed changes in ice-cap geometry suggests that these changes reflect interbasin differences in the inherent sensitivity of glacier mass balance to recent climate forcing. Response time calculations indicate that most of the ice cap is responding to recent climate warming, whereas the northwestern region is likely still responding to cooler conditions that prevailed during the Little Ice Age (LIA).
The Epidemiology of Chickenpox in England, 2016–2022: An Observational Study Using General Practitioner Consultations

Chickenpox is a common childhood disease caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV). VZV vaccination is not part of the UK childhood immunisation programme, but its potential inclusion is regularly assessed. It is therefore important to understand the ongoing burden of VZV in the community to inform vaccine policy decisions. General practitioner (GP) chickenpox consultations were studied from 1 September 2016 to 9 December 2022. Over the study period, the mean weekly chickenpox consultation rate per 100,000 population in England was 3.4, with a regular peak occurring between weeks 13 and 15. Overall, rates decreased over time, from a mean weekly rate of 5.5 in 2017 to 4.2 in 2019. The highest mean weekly rates were among children aged 1–4 years. There was no typical epidemic peak during the COVID-19 pandemic, but in 2022, rates were proportionally higher among children aged < 1 year old compared to pre-pandemic years. Chickenpox GP consultation rates decreased in England, continuing a longer-term decline in the community. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted rates, likely caused by the introduction of non-pharmaceutical interventions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The lasting impact of the interruption of typical disease transmission remains to be seen, but it is important to monitor the chickenpox burden to inform decisions on vaccine programmes.
Tracking the Selective Pressure Profile and Gene Flow of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant in Italy from April to October 2021 and Frequencies of Key Mutations from Three Representative Italian Regions

The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern (VOC) was often associated with serious clinical course of the COVID-19 disease. Herein, we investigated the selective pressure, gene flow and evaluation on the frequencies of mutations causing amino acid substitutions in the Delta variant in three Italian regions. A total of 1500 SARS-CoV-2 Delta genomes, collected in Italy from April to October 2021 were investigated, including a subset of 596 from three Italian regions. The selective pressure and the frequency of amino acid substitutions and the prediction of their possible impact on the stability of the proteins were investigated. Delta variant dataset, in this study, identified 68 sites under positive selection: 16 in the spike (23.5%), 11 in nsp2 (16.2%) and 10 in nsp12 (14.7%) genes. Three of the positive sites in the spike were located in the receptor-binding domain (RBD). In Delta genomes from the three regions, 6 changes were identified as very common (>83.7%), 4 as common (>64.0%), 21 at low frequency (2.1%–25.0%) and 29 rare (≤2.0%). The detection of positive selection on key mutations may represent a model to identify recurrent signature mutations of the virus.
Model of diffractive excitation in 
pp
 collisions at high energies

A phenomenological model for the description of the single and double diffractive excitation in $pp$ collisions at high energies is presented. Considering the Good -- Walker approach, we propose a model for the eigenstates of the scattering operator and for the treatment of the interaction between them, with the high energy behavior of the cross section driven by perturbative QCD. The behavior of the total, elastic, single and double diffractive cross sections are analyzed and predictions for the energies of Run 3 of the LHC and those of the Cosmic Rays experiments are derived. We demonstrate that the model describes the current data for the energy dependence of the cross sections. A comparison with the recent data for the $\rho$ parameter and the differential elastic cross section are also presented and shortcomings of the current model are discussed.
A Review of Novel Oximetry Parameters for the Prediction of Cardiovascular Disease in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a sleep disorder with repetitive collapse of the upper airway during sleep, which leads to intermittent hypoxic events overnight, adverse neurocognitive, metabolic complications, and ultimately an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The standard diagnostic parameter for OSA, apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI), is inadequate to predict CVD morbidity and mortality, because it focuses only on the frequency of apnoea and hypopnoea events, and fails to reveal other physiological information for the prediction of CVD events. Novel parameters have been introduced to compensate for the deficiencies of AHI. However, the calculation methods and criteria for these parameters are unclear, hindering their use in cross-study analysis and studies. This review aims to discuss novel parameters for predicting CVD events from oximetry signals and to summarise the corresponding computational methods.