Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The changing future: competition, specialization and reorganization in the contemporary English future temporal reference system

The English future temporal reference system has long been recognized as a variable system undergoing change. The main variants in contemporary English (will and be going to) have both been argued to have gone through (and to potentially still be undergoing) grammaticalization. At the same time, be going to has been gradually increasing in frequency relative to will over the last 500 years. However, investigation of the ongoing development of this system has been sparse. This article makes use of a large contemporary sociolinguistic corpus of a mainstream variety of North American English and the apparent-time construct. Several factors that have been implicated in the development of this system (Sentence Type, Clause Type, Proximity, Verb Type, and the Animacy and Grammatical Person of the Subject) are considered and a multiplex series of changes are uncovered. Underlying an overall, albeit slow, change in frequency towards be going to, we find evidence for specialization of one or the other variant in different linguistic contexts, neutralization of a constraint consistent with ongoing loss of variant nuances through semantic bleaching, and the persistence of constraints consistent with morphological doublet competition.
Diagnostic, Clinical and Post-SARS-CoV-2 Scenarios in Cancer Patients with SARS-CoV-2: Retrospective Analysis in Three German Cancer Centers

Simple Summary The study investigated diagnostic, clinical and post-SARS-CoV-2 scenarios in cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 aiming to improve management of SARS-CoV-2 infections and cancer afterwards. Around half of patients were initially asymptomatic and were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 during routine or contact tracing screening. Of them, 33% developed COVID-19 lately. Eventually, predominant part of patients had asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 or mild COVID-19 course. Lymphocytopenia preceding SARS-CoV-2 was associated with a significantly increased risk for severe or critical COVID-19 course. Commonly patients experienced a treatment delay post-SARS-CoV-2; one fifth developed progressive disease (PD) within that time and/or had to undergo therapy modifications following deterioration of the performance status or PD post-COVID-19. This study provides knowledge of real-life clinical courses of SARS-CoV-2 in oncology and contributes to improving therapeutic strategies for cancer patients in the COVID-19 pandemic. Abstract Oncologists face challenges in the management of SARS-CoV-2 infections and post-SARS-CoV-2 cancer treatment. We analyzed diagnostic, clinical and post-SARS-CoV-2 scenarios in patients from three German cancer centers with RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Sixty-three patients with SARS-CoV-2 and hematologic or solid neoplasms were included. Thirty patients were initially asymptomatic, 10 of whom developed COVID-19 symptoms subsequently. Altogether 20 (32%) patients were asymptomatic, 18 (29%) had mild, 12 (19%) severe and 13 (20%) critical courses. Lymphocytopenia increased risk of severe/critical COVID-19 three-fold (p = 0.015). Asymptomatic course was not associated with age, remission status, therapies or co-morbidities. Secondary bacterial infection accompanied more than one third of critical COVID-19 cases. Treatment was delayed post-SARS-CoV-2 in 46 patients, 9 of whom developed progressive disease (PD). Cancer therapy was modified in 8 SARS-CoV-2 survivors because of deteriorating performance or PD. At the last follow-up, 17 patients had died from COVID-19 (n = 8) or PD (n = 9) giving an estimated 73% four-month overall survival rate. SARS-CoV-2 infection has a heterogenous course in cancer patients. Lymphocytopenia carries a significant risk of severe/critical COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 disruption of therapy is as serious as SARS-CoV-2 infection itself. Careful surveillance will allow early restart of the anti-cancer treatment.
Inferring COVID-19 spreading rates and potential change points for case number forecasts

As COVID-19 is rapidly spreading across the globe, short-term modeling forecasts provide time-critical information for decisions on containment and mitigation strategies. A main challenge for short-term forecasts is the assessment of key epidemiological parameters and how they change as ﬁrst governmental intervention measures are showing an eﬀect. By combining an established epidemiological model with Bayesian inference, we analyze the time dependence of the eﬀective growth rate of new infections. For the case of COVID-19 spreading in Germany, we detect change points in the eﬀective growth rate which correlate well with the times of publicly announced interventions. Thereby, we can (a) quantify the eﬀects of recent governmental measures to mitigating the disease spread, and (b) incorporate analogue change points to forecast future scenarios and case numbers. Our code is freely available and can be readily adapted to any country or region.
Effects of hydrostatic pressure on spin-lattice coupling in two-dimensional ferromagnetic Cr2Ge2Te6

Spin-lattice coupling plays an important role in both formation and understanding of the magnetism in two-dimensional magnetic semiconductors (2DMS). In this paper, the steady pressure effects on the lattice structure, Raman resonances, and magnetization of a 2DMS Cr2Ge2Te6 have been studied by both experiments and first principles calculations. It is found that the bond length of Cr-Cr decreases, the angle of Cr-Te-Cr diverges from 90°, and the Raman modes Eg3 and Ag1 show an increase with the application of external pressure. Consequently, the magnetic phase transition temperature TC decreases from 66.6 K to 60.6 K (∼9%) as the pressure increases from 0 to 1 GPa. These pressure effects not only confirm the existence of strong spin-lattice coupling but also reveal the detailed information about the lattice deformation effect on the magnetic properties in such 2DMS, which would be a benefit for the further understanding and manipulation of the magnetism in 2D materials.
Improving the manufacturing technology of sensing gas sensors based on zinc oxide by using the method of magnetron sputtering on direct current

A gas sensor based on zinc oxide obtained by magnetron spraying at direct current was investigated. There are methods of deposition of zinc oxide nanostructures such as thermal evaporation, chemical vapor deposition, organometallic chemical vapor deposition, magnetron sputtering, pulsed laser deposition, and hydrothermal process. The least investigated is magnetron sputtering. To obtain films, a vacuum unit VUP-5M with an original material-saving magnetron was used. Studies into the sensitivity and speed of the gas sensor based on ZnO with respect to the target gas – ethanol of different concentrations – were carried out. The resulting experimental dependences of the sensitivity of the gas sensor on the concentration of the target gas demonstrate that with increasing concentration of the target gas, the resistance decreased while the sensitivity of the sample increased. It was established that the change in the resistance of the test sample is proportional to the change in the concentration of the target gas. After the sensor surface becomes saturated with adsorbed molecules, the resistance no longer decreases, even if the gas concentration continues to increase. The reaction of the gas sensor to the target gas – ethanol – at concentrations above 150 ppm was almost absent. The time required to achieve the maximum response value should be lower at higher target gas concentrations. Sensitivity reaction repeatability studies were conducted to measure the resistance of a gas sensor based on ZnO in a target gas atmosphere with a concentration of 150 ppm. It was found that the gas sensor demonstrates excellent stability and consistent sensitivity reaction when re-exposed to the target gas – ethanol. It was established that the reaction time of a gas sensor based on ZnO to the target gas at each repeated exposure does not exceed 10 s. This repeatability index allows us to assert the stability of the ZnO-based gas sensor in an ethanol atmosphere under standard conditions
Theoretical study of strained black phosphorus photodetector integrated with silicon waveguide

We compare optical characteristics of black phosphorus photodetectors integrated with a stripe waveguide and a ridge waveguide by optical field intensity and absorption spectrum, which proves that the stripe waveguide is better for enhancing the optical absorption of black phosphorus photodetector. The strain effect on the band structure of black phosphorus is investigated using the first-principles method based on density functional theory (DFT). The band structure of 5-layer BP experiences a direct-indirect-direct transition and a semiconductor-metal transition (SMT) when applied different strains. As a result, the cut-off wavelength and the responsivity of this strained BP photodetector can reach 3. 76μm and 0.48 A/W respectively. In a word, the waveguide-integrated black phosphorus photodetector under strain for mid-infrared range may promote potential novel optoelectronic device applications based on two-dimensional materials in the future.
Beyond “fake news”: Analytic thinking and the detection of false and hyperpartisan news headlines

Why is misleading partisan content believed and shared? An influential account posits that political partisanship pervasively biases reasoning, such that engaging in analytic thinking exacerbates motivated reasoning and, in turn, the acceptance of hyperpartisan content. Alternatively, it may be that susceptibility to hyperpartisan content is explained by a lack of reasoning. Across two studies using different participant pools (total N = 1,973 Americans), we had participants assess true, false, and hyperpartisan news headlines taken from social media. We found no evidence that analytic thinking was associated with judging politically consistent hyperpartisan or false headlines to be accurate and unbiased. Instead, analytic thinking was associated with an increased capacity to discern between true headlines and both false and hyperpartisan headlines in most cases (and never associated with decreased discernment). These results suggest that reasoning typically helps people differentiate between low and high quality political news, rather than facilitate belief in misleading content. Because social media plays an important role in the dissemination of misinformation, we also investigated willingness to share headlines on social media. We found a similar pattern whereby analytic thinking was not associated with increased willingness to share hyperpartisan or false headlines. Together, these results suggest a positive role for reasoning in resisting misinformation.
Evaluation of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in CAPN1 for association with meat tenderness in cattle.

Micromolar calcium activated neutral protease (CAPN1) was evaluated as a candidate gene for a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on BTA29 affecting meat tenderness by characterization of nucleotide sequence variation in the gene. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were identified by sequencing all 22 exons and 19 of the 21 introns in two sires (Piedmontese x Angus located at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, NE; Jersey x Limousin located at AgResearch in New Zealand) of independent resource populations previously shown to be segregating meat tenderness QTL on BTA29. The majority of the 38 SNP were found in introns or were synonymous substitutions in the coding regions, with two exceptions. Exons 14 and 9 contained SNP that were predicted to alter the protein sequence by the substitution of isoleucine for valine in Domain III of the protein, and alanine for glycine in Domain II of the protein. The resource populations were genotyped for these two SNP in addition to six intronic polymorphisms and two silent substitutions. Analysis of genotypes and shear force values in both populations revealed a difference between paternal CAPN1 alleles in which the allele encoding isoleucine at position 530 and glycine at position 316 associated with decreased meat tenderness (increased shear force values) relative to the allele encoding valine at position 530 and alanine at position 316 (P < 0.05). The association of maternal alleles with meat tenderness phenotypes is consistent with the hypothesis of CAPN1 as the gene underlying the QTL effect in two independent resource populations and presents the possibility of using these markers for selective breeding to reduce the numbers of animals with unfavorable meat tenderness traits.
Practical time-varying formation tracking for high-order nonlinear multi-agent systems based on the distributed extended state observer

ABSTRACT Practical time-varying formation tracking analysis and design problems for high-order nonlinear multi-agent systems are investigated, where the time-varying formation tracking error is controlled within an arbitrarily small bound. The states of followers form a predefined time-varying formation while tracking the state of the leader with unknown control input. Besides, the dynamics of each agent has heterogeneous nonlinearity and disturbance. First, a distributed extended state observer is constructed to estimate the follower's nonlinearity and disturbance, and the leader's unknown control input simultaneously. A protocol based on the distributed extended state observer is proposed. Second, sufficient conditions for the multi-agent systems to achieve the practical time-varying formation tracking under the protocol are presented by using the Lyapunov stability theory. Third, an approach is derived to design the proposed protocol by solving a linear matrix inequality. Finally, numerical simulation results are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Cosmic Microwave Background anisotropies generated by domain wall networks

We develop a numerical tool for the fast computation of the temperature and polarization power spectra generated by domain wall networks, by extending the publicly available cmbact code\char22{}which calculates the cosmic microwave background signatures generated by active sources\char22{}to also describe domain wall networks. In order to achieve this, we adapt the unconnected segment model for cosmic strings to also describe domain wall networks, and use it to model the energy-momentum contribution of domain wall networks throughout their cosmological history. We use this new tool to compute and study the TT, EE, TE and BB power spectra generated by standard domain wall networks, and derive a conservative constraint on the energy scale of the domain wall-forming phase transition of $\ensuremath{\eta}l0.92\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{MeV}$ (which is a slight improvement over the original Zel'dovich bound of 1 MeV).
Qualitative description of interpersonal HIV stigma and motivations for HIV testing among gays, bisexuals, and men who have men in Ghana's slums- BSGH-005

Abstract Despite significant progress in Ghana's HIV response, disparities in HIV prevalence persist among different populations. Gays, bisexuals, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the country remain vulnerable to HIV infection due to high levels of stigma and discrimination, limited access to healthcare services, and low HIV knowledge levels. While limited studies focus on HIV prevention and care in the Ghanaian GBMSM context, we did not find studies on GBMSM in slums. We, therefore, explored stigma and motivations of HIV testing among GBMSM in slums. In collaboration with our community partners, we recruited and conducted face-to-face interviews among 12 GBMSM from slums in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana. Our multiple-reviewer summative content analysis identified the following: under HIV stigma, we identified two categories, avoidance of GBMSM living with HIV and fear of testing positive for HIV. Under motivations for HIV testing, we identified three categories; HIV vulnerability, sexual health decision making, and positive messaging about HIV. Our findings provide valuable insights into stigma and motivations for HIV testing among GBMSM in Ghanaian slums. They also highlight the importance of targeted HIV education interventions to empower GBMSM to take responsibility for their sexual health and address the unique challenges they face accessing HIV testing services.
An example of too much too soon? A retrospective review of Caesarean Sections performed in the first stage of labour in Kenya

Objective In Kenya, decisions to perform CS are frequently made by unsupported non-specialist doctors, sometimes resulting in sub-optimal decision-making and inappropriate surgery. This study assesses decision-making in CS performed in the first stage of labour by a retrospective case review. Methods A panel of expert obstetricians reviewed case-notes randomly selected from a series obtained from seven Kenyan referral hospitals, then discussed in pairs and as a group where opinions differed. Results Of the 87 case-notes reviewed consensus was achieved in 94.3% cases. In 41.3% cases, CS was considered appropriate by all assessors, including 8.9% cases where the CS was necessary but performed too late. The decision to delivery interval was 2 hours or longer in 65.8% cases, including 18 cases done for non-reassuring fetal status. In 10.3% it was considered that further reassessment should have occurred. In 9.2% the reviewers concluded that the CS was done too soon and alternative measures could have been taken. Insufficient information was available in the records to make a full assessment in 21.8% of cases and in 11.5% the CS was considered to be inappropriate. Conclusions This review suggests a need for improved support for decision-making, improved record-keeping and more timely surgery when indicated.
The Continuous Classical Optimal Control for a Coupled Nonlinear Parabolic Partial Differential Equations with Equality and Inequality Constraints

This paper is concerned with the existence and uniqueness state vector solution for a coupled of nonlinear parabolic equations using the Galerkin method when the continuous classical control vector is given, the existence theorem of a continuous classical optimal control vector with equality and inequality vector state constraints is proved, the existence and uniqueness solution of the adjoint equations associated with the state equations is studied. The derivation of the Frcéhet derivative of the Hamiltonian is obtained. Finally the necessary conditions theorem, so as the sufficient conditions theorem of optimality of the constrained problem are proved.
Mendelian Randomisation Analysis Suggests that Hypothyroidism Reduces Endometrial Cancer Risk

Background: Thyroid dysfunction, hypothyroidism in particular, has been associated with endometrial cancer, but it remains unclear whether hypothyroidism itself or other aspects of thyroid dysfunction have a causal effect on endometrial cancer risk. Methods: To clarify the effects of thyroid dysfunction phenotypes on endometrial cancer risk, we performed Mendelian randomisation analyses data from the largest available genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The robustness of associations was assessed through sensitivity analyses. To disentangle the potential influence of obesity on causal associations, we carried out multivariable Mendelian randomisation analysis. Results: Mendelian randomisation analysis demonstrated a significant causal association between hypothyroidism and decreased risk of endometrial cancer (OR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.89-0.97; p = 3.96 x 10-4). Hashimotos thyroiditis, a common cause of hypothyroidism, showed a similar, albeit nominal, association with endometrial cancer risk (OR = 0.92; 95% CI 0.86-0.99; p = 0.03). Hypothyroidism was also significantly associated with decreased risk of endometrioid endometrial cancer (OR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.88-0.98; p = 4.02 x 10-3), the most common histological subtype. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the significant associations. Multivariable Mendelian randomisation analysis revealed that BMI and hypothyroidism had independent effects on endometrial cancer risk. Interpretation: This study provides evidence for a causal relationship between hypothyroidism and decreased risk of endometrial cancer. The protective effect of hypothyroidism is independent of BMI and may be related to the autoimmune effects of Hashimotos disease. Funding: National Health and Research Council of Australia (APP1173170). Worldwide Cancer Research and Cancer Australia (22-0253).
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of other communicable diseases in Japan

Objectives: To elucidate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of other infectious diseases. Design: We investigated the epidemiology of 36 communicable diseases during 2015-2021 in Japan and compared the number of cases in each disease between the prepandemic (2015-2019) and intrapandemic (2020-2021) periods. Relationships between the incidence of the infectious diseases and the COVID-19 pandemic were also investigated. Results: Of 36 communicable diseases, the number of cases in the 27 diseases (75%) mainly caused by pathogens transmitted by droplet or contact was lower intrapandemic than prepandemic, and the cases of 21 diseases (58%) continued to decrease intrapandemic. The number of cases of six diseases (17%) was higher intrapandemic than prepandemic, and the cases of two diseases (5.6%), Japanese spotted fever and syphilis, continued to increase intrapandemic. Time trend analyses revealed a positive correlation between case numbers of communicable diseases and the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas the case numbers of hand-foot-and-mouth disease and respiratory syncytial virus infection rebounded in 2021 after decreasing in 2020. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the epidemiology of communicable diseases, suggesting that countermeasures against COVID-19 and lifestyle changes might be involved in these epidemiological changes. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ )
Significance of Serum Testosterone for Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Elevation and Prediction of Prostate Cancer in Patients with PSA Above 10 ng/ml

Purpose Testosterone is essential for the prostate gland's normal growth and development and is also a possible risk factor for prostate cancer. This study's aim was to determine the significance of serum testosterone for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) elevation and prostate cancer prediction in high-risk men. Materials and Methods The study included 120 patients with PSA >10 ng/ml who underwent a transrectal-prostate biopsy. Serum testosterone, prostate volume, and PSA density (PSAD) were checked in all patients. Patients were divided into two groups, patients with and those without prostate cancer; and testosterone-related factors, prostate volume, PSA, PSAD, age, prostate cancer prediction rate, and cancer aggressiveness were evaluated. Results Thirty-five patients (30.2%) were confirmed as having prostate cancer. The average serum testosterone level in patients without and in those with prostate cancer was 452.25±154.62 ng/dl and 458.10±158.84 ng/dl, respectively; average PSA was 17.58±9.02 ng/ml and 18.62±6.53 ng/ml, respectively; and average age was 69.02±7.52 years and 70.69±7.02 years, respectively (p>0.05). Hypogonadal and eugonadal patients showed no significant difference in cancer prevalence (30.3% vs. 32.0%, respectively). The testosterone level did not differ significantly in patients with and those without prostate cancer in either hypogonadal or eugonadal men (p>0.05). Serum testosterone showed no correlation with PSA, PSAD, or age in either group (p>0.05) and was unrelated to prostate cancer risk or aggressiveness (p>0.05). Conclusions In our study's results, serum testosterone at the time of diagnosis was unrelated to PSA elevation, prostate cancer risk, and aggressiveness.