Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The structure, centrality, and scale of urban street networks: Cases from Pre-Industrial Afro-Eurasia

Cities and towns have often developed infrastructure that enabled a variety of socio-economic interactions. Street networks within these urban settings provide key access to resources, neighborhoods, and cultural facilities. Studies on settlement scaling have also demonstrated that a variety of urban infrastructure and resources indicate clear population scaling relationships in both modern and ancient settings. This article presents an approach that investigates past street network centrality and its relationship to population scaling in urban contexts. Centrality results are compared statistically among different urban settings, which are categorized as orthogonal (i.e., planned) or self-organizing (i.e., organic) urban settings, with places having both characteristics classified as hybrid. Results demonstrate that street nodes have a power law relationship to urban area, where the number of nodes increases and node density decreases in a sub-linear manner for larger sites. Most median centrality values decrease in a negative sub-linear manner as sites are larger, with organic and hybrid urban sites’ centrality being generally less and diminishing more rapidly than orthogonal settings. Diminishing centrality shows comparability to modern urban systems, where larger urban districts may restrict overall interaction due to increasing transport costs over wider areas. Centrality results indicate that scaling results have multiples of approximately ⅙ or ⅓ that are comparable to other urban and road infrastructure, suggesting a potential relationship between different infrastructure features and population in urban centers. The results have implications for archaeological settlements where urban street plans are incomplete or undetermined, as it allows forecasts to be made on past urban sites’ street network centrality. Additionally, a tool to enable analysis of street networks and centrality is provided as part of the contribution.
Positive correlation between transcriptomic stemness and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling scores in breast cancer, and a counterintuitive relationship with PIK3CA genotype

A PI3Kα-selective inhibitor has recently been approved for use in breast tumors harboring mutations in PIK3CA, the gene encoding p110α. Preclinical studies have suggested that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway influences stemness, a dedifferentiation-related cellular phenotype associated with aggressive cancer. However, to date, no direct evidence for such a correlation has been demonstrated in human tumors. In two independent human breast cancer cohorts, encompassing nearly 3,000 tumor samples, transcriptional footprint-based analysis uncovered a positive linear association between transcriptionally-inferred PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling scores and stemness scores. Unexpectedly, stratification of tumors according to PIK3CA genotype revealed a “biphasic” relationship of mutant PIK3CA allele dosage with these scores. Relative to tumor samples without PIK3CA mutations, the presence of a single copy of a hotspot PIK3CA variant was associated with lower PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and stemness scores, whereas the presence of multiple copies of PIK3CA hotspot mutations correlated with higher PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and stemness scores. This observation was recapitulated in a human cell model of heterozygous and homozygous PIK3CAH1047R expression. Collectively, our analysis (1) provides evidence for a signaling strength-dependent PI3K-stemness relationship in human breast cancer; (2) supports evaluation of the potential benefit of patient stratification based on a combination of conventional PI3K pathway genetic information with transcriptomic indices of PI3K signaling activation.
Seclusion in an enriched environment versus seclusion as usual: A quasi-experimental study using mixed methods

Background For patients, seclusion during psychiatric treatment is often a traumatic experience. To prevent such experiences, adjustments in the design of seclusion rooms have been recommended. Methods As there have been no empirical studies on the matter, we used a quasi-experimental design to compare the experiences in seclusion of two groups of patients: 26 who had been secluded in a room designed according to the principles of healing environment, a so called ‘Enriched Environment Seclusion room’ (EES), and 27 who had been secluded in a regular seclusion (RS) room. The enrichment included audio-visual facilities, a fixed toilet, a couch and a self-service system to adjust light, colour, blinds and temperature according to the patient’s preferences. Insight into their experiences was obtained using the Patient View-of-Seclusion Questionnaire, which comprises nine statements on seclusion, supplemented with open-ended questions. Results The responses regarding seclusion experiences between the two groups did not differ significantly (U = 280.00, p = .21, r = -.17). Although those who had been secluded in the specially designed room had greatly appreciated the opportunities for distraction, and those who had been secluded in a regular seclusion room expressed the need for more distracting activities during seclusion, both groups described seclusion as a dreadful experience. If seclusion cannot be avoided, patients recommend facilities for distraction (such as those provided in an enriched environment seclusion room) to be available. Conclusion Whatever the physical environment and facilities of a seclusion room, we may thus conclude that seclusion is a burdensome experience.
Microarray profiling predicts early neurological and immune phenotypic traits in advance of CNS disease during disease progression in Trypanosoma. b. brucei infected CD1 mouse brains

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. We hypothesised that recent findings of neurological features and parasite brain infiltration occurring at much earlier stages in HAT than previously thought could be explained by early activation of host genetic programmes controlling CNS disease. Accordingly, a transcriptomal analysis was performed on brain tissue at 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28dpi from the HAT CD1/GVR35 mouse model. Up to 21dpi, most parasites are restricted to the blood and lymphatic system. Thereafter the trypanosomes enter the brain initiating the encephalitic stage. Analysis of ten different time point Comparison pairings, revealed a dynamic transcriptome comprising four message populations. All 7dpi Comparisons had by far more differentially expressed genes compared to all others. Prior to invasion of the parenchyma, by 7dpi, ~2,000 genes were up-regulated, denoted [7dpi↑] in contrast to a down regulated population [7dpi↓] also numbering ~2,000. However, by 14dpi both patterns had returned to around the pre-infected levels. The third, [28dpi↑] featured over three hundred transcripts which had increased modestly up to14dpi, thereafter were significantly up-regulated and peaked at 28dpi. The fourth, a minor population, [7dpi↑-28dpi↑], had similar elevated levels at 7dpi and 28dpi. KEGG and GO enrichment analysis predicted a diverse phenotype by 7dpi with changes to innate and adaptive immunity, a Type I interferon response, neurotransmission, synaptic plasticity, pleiotropic signalling, circadian activity and vascular permeability without disruption of the blood brain barrier. This key observation is consistent with recent rodent model neuroinvasion studies and clinical reports of Stage 1 HAT patients exhibiting CNS symptoms. Together, these findings challenge the strict Stage1/Stage2 phenotypic demarcation in HAT and show that that significant neurological, and immune changes can be detected prior to the onset of CNS disease.
A semi-analytical model for serpentine horizontal ground heat exchangers

This article focuses on a particular type of horizontal ground heat exchangers (HGHE) which can be used as a heat source (or heat sink) for geothermal heat pumps. It consists of a long pipe buried about 1 m below the ground surface and arranged in parallel regularly spaced sections, forming a serpentine. This article proposes a model for such a heat exchanger, where the serpentine is discretized axially and a three-step calculation procedure is performed on each node. The axial fluid temperature variation in the pipe is first computed by using an implicit numerical resolution scheme. Then, heat transfer in the ground surrounding the pipe is obtained by using the analytical cylindrical heat source solution. In the third step, used for mid- to long-term simulations, thermal interference between parallel pipe sections is taken into account using spatial superposition. Finally, these solutions are coupled iteratively to obtain the axial fluid and pipe temperatures at each time step. The model is then validated using a full-scale experimental facility located in Orléans, France. Following a brief description of the facility, validation results are reported. The main validation test consists of supplying the HGHE with a constant inlet fluid temperature (40°C [104°F]) for a 200-h period in soil at an initial temperature of 7.5°C (45.5°F). After an initial transient period, the recorded outlet fluid temperature matches the model prediction within 1°C (1.8°F).
Transitional Movement Skill Dependence on Fundamental Movement Skills: Testing Seefeldt’s Proficiency Barrier

ABSTRACT Purpose: In 1979 Vern Seefeldt postulated that individuals that did not achieve a given level of proficiency in the fundamental movement skills (FMS) would be limited in performance on new and more complex skills during development. This hypothesis, the proficiency barrier, inspired research in motor development but, to the best of our knowledge, was never empirically tested. The present article tested three potential mathematical functions (linear, sigmoidal and piecewise) describing the proficiency barrier relating FMS with a transitional movement skill (TMS, a more complex movement skill). Methods: 87 children aged 7 to 10 years were tested on six skills of the TGMD-2 test battery (running, hopping, leaping, kicking, catching and stationary bouncing) and dribbling (a combination of running and stationary bouncing). Results: The results showed evidence for the proficiency barrier based on a specific sigmoidal relation. We also identified critical movement aspects from FMS that seem to induce this relation. Conclusion: There is some evidence supporting Seefeldt’s Proficiency Barrier.
Intervention for promoting intake of fruits and vegetables in Brazilians: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a nutritional intervention to promote fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. Design: A randomised controlled community trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a 7-month nutritional intervention and to promote FV intake, separately and together. All participants attended physical exercise sessions. The intervention was based on the transtheoretical model and Paulo Freire’s pedagogy. The interventions included group educational sessions, motivational cards and informational materials. The primary outcome was a change in FV intake (g/d), and secondary outcomes included stages of change, self-efficacy, decisional balance and knowledge on FV. All data were collected face-to-face; and FV intake was assessed using a validated brief questionnaire. Setting: Health promotion services of Brazilian Primary Health Care. Participants: 3414 users of Brazilian Primary Health Care (1931 in the control group and 1483 in the intervention group (IG)). Results: At baseline, the average daily FV intake was 370·4 g/d (95 % CI 364·2, 376·6). The increase in FV intake (23·4 g/d; 95 % CI 6·7, 40·0) and fruit intake (+17·3 g/d; 95 % CI 5·1, 29·4; P = 0·01) was greater in the IG among participants in the lowest baseline intake. Participants in the IG also showed progression in the stages of change (P < 0·001), increased self-efficacy (P < 0·001) and improved knowledge of FV crops (P < 0·001). Conclusions: The nutritional intervention was effective in increasing FV intake and fruits intake among individuals with a lower intake at baseline and in maintaining FV intake among those who reported consuming FV as recommended (400 g/d).
US college student mental health and COVID-19: Comparing pre-pandemic and pandemic timepoints

Abstract Objective To assess mental health in US undergraduates during COVID-19; to identify key pandemic-related stressors, perceived control, and coping and their associations with mental health. Participants Data collected from a sample of undergraduates in April 2020 (N = 312) were compared to data collected in Spring 2017 (N = 362). Methods Online measures of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms and perceived control and coping (both samples); pandemic-related stressors and perceived benefits (April 2020). Results Depression and stress symptoms were higher in April 2020 than in 2017. Most students reported perceiving at least some pandemic-related benefits. Top-rated stressors involved missing seeing friends and school-related stressors. Perceived control and approach coping were lower during the pandemic but related to better mental health; avoidant coping was higher during the pandemic and related to poorer mental health. Conclusions Findings can inform campuses regarding how to improve student mental health during COVID and beyond.
Assessing sleep problems and daytime functioning: a translation, adaption, and validation of the Athens Insomnia Scale for non-clinical application (AIS-NCA)

Abstract Objective & Design: Sleep problems are common and have been linked to health problems, diminished well-being, and impaired performance. Many scales to diagnose clinically relevant sleep problems are time-consuming, complex, and difficult to administer in non-clinical and multi-thematic studies. Through a multi-stage translation (from English to German) and scale testing process, we developed a parsimonious measure of sleep problems and daytime functioning for non-clinical applications based on the Athens Insomnia Scale. Results: Exploratory (NStudy 1 = 25,140) and confirmatory (NStudy 2 = 14,797) factor analyses suggest a two-dimensional structure with the subscales “sleep problems” and “daytime functioning”. Internal scale consistency was acceptable. Measurement invariance was found across time, gender, age, and diagnosed sleep disorders. The scale discriminates between people with and without sleep disorders and predicts emerging sleep disorders. Short-term retest reliability was acceptable (NStudy 3 = 78). Convergent validity with other sleep measures and discriminant validity with indicators of well-being were observed (NStudy 4 = 341). After a multi-stage translation to English, we confirmed the factor structure and found measurement invariance across languages (NStudy 5 = 623). Conclusion: Our short 7-item scale has good psychometric properties and is suitable for self-administration, making it useful in measuring sleep problems and daytime functioning efficiently and reliably, especially for large population studies.
Impact of rotavirus vaccine in reducing hospitalization rates in pediatric patients: a single center experience in Italy

ABSTRACT Rotavirus is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in children under 5 years of age, with severe illness occurring in 30–40% of cases. In Italian region of Liguria, vaccination with a two-dose human attenuated vaccine was introduced in 2013. We conducted a retrospective study to assess the impact of rotavirus vaccine on hospitalizations for rotavirus-related gastroenteritis (RVGE) at the IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini. Every hospitalization due to laboratory-confirmed RVGE and acute gastroenteritis of unknown origin (AGUO) in patients aged 0–14 years in the period 2008–2019 were anonymously extracted. Vaccine coverage were obtained from the regional vaccination registry. The results were divided in 2008–2012 (before RV vaccine) and 2013–2019 (after) periods. From 2008 to 2012, there was a continuous reduction of AGUO hospitalizations while RVGE increased. Since 2013, a reduction in hospitalization rate was observed for RVGE with a sharp decrease from 17.81 per 10.000 children in 2012 to 0.79 per 10,000 in 2019, parallel with the ascending values of RV vaccination coverage that increased from 36.3% in 2013 to 63.9% in 2019. A significant negative correlation was found between the proportions of vaccinated newborns and RVGE rates (p = .012). Intussusception-related hospitalization did not show substantial modifications. We confirm vaccination as a safe practice that has a significant impact in pediatric hospitalization rates.
The Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease and Other Comorbidities Among American Indian and Alaska Native Adults with Diabetes.

Aims American Indians and Alaska Native (AI/ANs) peoples experience significant health disparities compared to the U.S. general population. We report comorbidities among AI/ANs with diabetes to guide efforts to improve their health status. Methods Drawing upon data for over 640,000 AI/ANs who used services funded by the Indian Health Service, we identified 43,518 adults with diabetes in fiscal year 2010. We reported the prevalence of comorbidities by age and cardiovascular disease (CVD) status. Generalized linear models were estimated to describe associations between CVD and other comorbidities. Results Nearly 15% of AI/AN adults had diabetes. Hypertension, CVD and kidney disease were comorbid in 77.9%, 31.6%, and 13.3%, respectively. Nearly 25% exhibited a mental health disorder; 5.7%, an alcohol or drug use disorder. Among AI/ANs with diabetes absent CVD, 46.9% had 2 or more other chronic conditions; the percentage among adults with diabetes and CVD was 75.5%. Hypertension and tobacco use disorders were associated with a 71% (95% CI for prevalence ratio: 1.63 - 1.80) and 33% (1.28 - 1.37) higher prevalence of CVD, respectively, compared to adults without these conditions. Conclusion Detailed information on the morbidity burden of AI/ANs with diabetes may inform enhancements to strategies implemented to prevent and treat CVD and other comorbidities.
A Passive Back-Support Exoskeleton for Manual Materials Handling: Reduction of Low Back Loading and Metabolic Effort during Repetitive Lifting

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Globalization and eCommerce continue to fuel unprecedented growth in the logistics and warehousing markets. Simultaneously, the biggest bottleneck for these industries is their human capital. Where automation and robotic solutions fail to deliver a return on investment, humans frequently take over handling tasks that place harmful loads and strains on the body. Occupational exoskeletons can reduce fatigue and strain by supporting the lower spine and are designed to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders and other injuries. They are a mid- to long-term investment for industries to improve ergonomic conditions in workplaces, with the potential for reducing absences from work, sick days logged, and workers compensation claims. To examine the effectiveness of the newly introduced Paexo Back exoskeleton, a study was completed with 10 participants who completed manual load handling tasks with and without the exoskeleton. Key findings include significant reductions in metabolic effort and low back loading when the exoskeleton is worn. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Work-related low back pain is a major threat to workers and society. Some new commercial and prototype exoskeletons are designed to specifically control the development of such disorders. Some beneficial effects of these exoskeletons have been reported earlier. Purpose: Determine the potential benefits of a newly introduced exoskeleton, Paexo Back, which is designed to reduce low back loading during lifting tasks. Methods: Ten healthy subjects participated in this study. To replicate a typical workplace situation, a repetitive lifting task with and without the exoskeleton was performed. For 5-min periods, the participants repeatedly lifted a 10-kg box from the floor onto a table and then placed it back on the floor. Effects of exoskeleton use were assessed using a diverse set of outcomes. Oxygen uptake and heart rate were measured using a wireless spiroergometry system. Activation levels of back, abdominal, and thigh muscles were also measured using a wireless electromyographic system. Kinematic data were recorded using an optoelectronic device, and ground reaction forces were measured with two force plates. Joint compression forces in the lower spine (L4/L5 and L5/S1) were estimated using the AnyBody™ Modeling System during the upward lifting portion of the lifting task (bringing the box to the table). Results: Using the exoskeleton resulted in significant reductions in oxygen rate (9%), activation of the back and thigh muscles (up to 18%), and peak and mean compression forces at L4/L5 (21%) and L5/S1 (20%). Conclusions: These results show that using the tested exoskeleton for a lifting task contributes to an increased metabolic efficiency, a reduction in the back muscle activation required to conduct the task, and a reduction in low back loading.
Fuels and fire hazard in blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) stands in Portugal

Fast-growing, short-rotation forest plantations in Mediterranean-type ecosystems are vulnerable to wildfire. This study quantifies fuel characteristics over a wide range of stand characteristics in blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) stands in Portugal, namely fuel loading by size class and fuel layer and bulk density. We combined destructive and non? destructive methods to estimate fuel loadings in both natural and activity (logging slash) fuels, and then built fuel models to predict fire behaviour characteristics. Classification of National Forest Inventory blue gum plots by fuel model showed that high-intensity fire threatens approximately half of the plots. Fire modelling indicates that wildfire control operations are made effective by treating hazardous fuels in these plantations, even under extreme weather conditions. Stand management against wildfire can greatly benefit from fuel and fire modelling.
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin MZ Heterozygosity is an Endotype of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

RATIONALE Multiple studies have demonstrated an increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in heterozygous carriers of the alpha-1 antitrypsin Z allele. However, it is not known if MZ subjects with COPD are phenotypically different compared to non-carriers (MM genotype) with COPD. We hypothesized that MZ subjects with COPD have different clinical features compared to MM subjects with COPD. METHODS Genotypes of SERPINA1 were ascertained from whole genome sequencing data in three independent studies. We compared outcomes between MM and MZ subjects with COPD in each study and combined the results in a meta-analysis. We performed longitudinal and survival analyses to compare outcomes in MM and MZ subjects with COPD over time. RESULTS We included 290 MZ subjects with COPD and 6,184 MM subjects with COPD across the three studies. MZ subjects had lower FEV1 % predicted and greater quantitative emphysema on chest CT scans compared to MM subjects. In a meta-analysis, FEV1 was 3.9% lower (95% CI -6.55, -1.26) and emphysema (percent of lung attenuation areas < -950HU) was 4.14% greater (95% CI 1.44, 6.84) in MZ subjects. We found one gene, PGF, differentially expressed in lung tissue from one study between MZ subjects compared to MM subjects. CONCLUSIONS Carriers of the alpha-1 antitrypsin Z allele (MZ heterozygotes) with COPD had lower lung function and more emphysema compared to MM subjects with COPD. Taken with the subtle differences in gene expression between the two groups, our findings suggest that MZ subjects represent an endotype of COPD.