Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship between land use and car dependence and its application for land use planning policy in Sydney

In December 2005, the New South Wales Government released the Sydney Metropolitan Strategy City of Cities: A Plan for Sydney's Future. The strategy sets out a strategic plan to facilitate and manage the growth and development of Sydney over the next 25 years. Action D3 of the strategy is to Influence travel choices to encourage more sustainable travel, to aim for increased walking, cycling and use of public transport. Key to the implementation of the strategy is translating its aims and actions into local land use plans. This paper discusses the results of research undertaken by the NSW Department of Planning which seek to quantify the key relationships between land use and vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) in Sydney, and develop a quantitative model that can predict VKT at the household level. Additionally, the paper outlines current testing on the policy application of this research to land use planning in Sydney. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E214666.
Les changements de la circulation atmosphérique tropicale et conséquences lors du changement climatique

Les variations de la circulation tropicale de grande echelle lors du changement climatique peuvent avoir d'importantes consequences en terme d'impact sur les activites humaines. Dans un premier temps nous etudions la circulation atmospherique tropicale meridienne, dans les differents modeles climatiques couples. Lors du rechauffement climatique, nous trouvons que les circulations meridiennes de Hadley et les jets subtropicaux sont significativement deplaces vers les poles, et que l'intensite de ces circulations diminue faiblement lors du changement climatique. Dans une seconde partie, des simulations utilisant le GCM LMDZ4 dans differentes configurations, montrent que l'intensite et le deplacement des cellules de Hadley sont relies au changement uniforme de temperature de mer mais aussi au changement des gradients meridionaux de temperature. Enfin, on montre que les changements de circulation de Hadley peuvent alors avoir un impact significatif sur la retroaction de la vapeur d'eau.
Results of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Support before Coronary Reperfusion in Cardiogenic Shock with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background Despite aggressive treatment, the mortality rate of cardiogenic shock with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is high. We performed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) prior to coronary reperfusion, and evaluated the early clinical results and risk factors. Materials and Methods From May 2006 to November 2009, we reviewed the medical records of 20 patients in cardiogenic shock with AMI (mean age 67.7±11.7 yrs, M : F 14 : 6). After initially performing ECMO using the CAPIOX emergency bypass system (EBS®Terumo, Tokyo, Japan), patients underwent coronary reperfusion (coronary artery bypass grafting, 13; percutaneous coronary intervention, 7). Results All patients were in a cardiogenic shock state, cardiopulmonary resuscitations (CPR) were performed for fourteen patients (mean CPR time 20.8±26.0 min). The mean time from vascular access to the initiation of ECMO was 17.2±9.4 min and mean support time was 3.8±4.0 days. Fourteen patients were able to be weaned from ECMO and ten patients were discharged (mean admission duration 50.1±31.6 days). Patients survived on average 476.6±374.6 days of follow-up. Longer CPR and support time, increased cardiac enzyme, lower ejection fraction, lower albumin, and major complications were the risk factors of mortality (p<0.05). Conclusion The early application of ECMO prior to coronary reperfusion and control of risk factors allowed for good clinical results in cardiogenic shock with AMI.
Exploration of Modern Contraceptive Methods Using Patterns among Elderly Aged Reproductive Aged Women in Bangladesh

Background: In light of the increasing population of late reproductive-aged women (aged 35 and above) within the broader demographic of reproductive-aged females, the concern surrounding their contraceptive considerations has escalated to a point of critical importance. This study aims to examine the trends and determinants of modern contraceptive practices among late reproductive-aged women in Bangladesh. Methods: A total of 17,736 women aged 35 and more were included in the analysis, utilizing data from three consecutives Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 2011, 2014, and 2017-18. The outcome variable was the use of modern contraceptive methods (yes or no). The explanatory variables encompassed survey years, individual characteristics of the women, as well as characteristics of their partners and the community. To examine the association of the outcome variable with the explanatory variables, a multilevel logistic regression model was used. Results: Approximately 54% of women aged 35 and older do not utilize modern contraceptive methods, and there have been no significant shifts in their usage observed over the survey years. The probability of using modern contraceptive methods exhibited a notable decline in relation to increasing age, the educational level of women's partners, and their categorization within the richer or richest wealth quintile. Conversely, women with higher education, increased exposure to mass media, and residing in the Dhaka or Rajshahi division displayed an elevated likelihood of embracing modern contraceptive methods. Conclusion: The study highlights the relatively stable adoption of modern contraceptive methods among women aged 35 or older in Bangladesh, despite their increasing representation within the population. This raises concerns about the elevated risk of unintended pregnancies and shorter birth intervals, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address the specific needs and preferences of this demographic
Verification of Some Weather Elements Forecasts from BSC-DREAM8b V2 Model

The aim of this study is to verify 2-meter temperature and mean sea level pressure forecasts from BSC-DREAM8B V2.0 model, which is a short-term numerical forecasting model against observed data from the Iraqi Meteorological Organization & Seismology constitution and modelled data (ERA-Interim) reanalysis from the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) for the period 1-3 June 2012 for four selected stations in Iraq, they are Mosul, Baghdad, Rutba and Basra which represent northern, central, western and southern of Iraq respectively by using some statistical methods including Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Bias Error (BE) and Correlation Coefficient (R). The results showed that the BSC-DREAM8B V2.0 model worked well in representing the daily temperature variation and with relatively good compatibility with the ERA-I modelled data, however, the latter showed lower absolute error rates. The two modelled data showed the highest absolute error rate for Baghdad station whereas BSC showed lower values for Basra station and different values for Rutba and Mosul, and the predicted values were overestimated for all stations and for both models except for Rutba station where ERA-I data showed underestimated value. As for the surface pressure at mean sea level, the BSC-DREAM8B V2.0 model showed its ability to simulate the daily change of pressure and worked in a good consistency with ERA-I modelled data with few hetopascal as mean absolute error. Both modelled data showed underestimated values for all stations, and thus, BSC modelled data is better for simulating temperature and mean sea level pressure in low elevated regions compared to ERA-Interim data and vice versa.
Combination low dose sulphonylurea and DPP4 inhibitor have potent glucose effect through augmentation of beta cell function without increase in hypoglycaemia: a randomised crossover study.

Aims/Hypothesis. it is important to address our use of cheaper generic therapies for type 2 diabetes (T2DM as the global prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) will surpass 600 million by 2035. Negative aspects of SU may be avoided by their use at low dose. We have previously shown that 20mg standard release gliclazide reduces plasma glucose through augmentation of the classical incretin effect, increased beta cell glucose sensitivity and late-phase incretin potentiation. We hypothesised that there would be potential synergy between low dose SU when given in combination with a DPP4i, without increased hypoglycaemia risk, and aimed to assess this in a randomised clinical trial. Methods 30 participants with T2DM (HbA1c <64 mmol/mol) treated with diet or metformin monotherapy were recruited to a single-centre, open-label, randomised crossover study. Participants completed four, 14-day study periods in a random order: control, gliclazide 20mg once daily (SU), sitagliptin 100mg (DPP4i), or combination (SUDPP4i). A 2-hour mixed meal tolerance test was conducted at the end of each period. Beta-cell function was assessed by modelling. The primary outcome was the effect of treatment on beta cell glucose sensitivity. Secondary end points included frequency of blood glucose <3mmol/l on continuous glucose monitoring, sub analysis by genotype (KNCJ11 E23K), and analysis by gender and body mass index. Results Linear mixed model estimates showed a potent additive, glucose lowering effect of low dose SU combination with DPP4. Mean glucose AUC (mean 95% CI) (mmol/l) was: Control 11.5 (10.7-12.3), DPP4i 10.2 (9.4-11.1), SU 9.7 (8.9-10.5), SUDPP4i 8.7 (7.9-9.5) (p <0.001). Beta cell glucose sensitivity (pmol min-1 m-2mM-1) mirrored this additive effect: Control 71.5 (51.1-91.9), DPP4i 75.9 (55.7-96.0), SU 86.3 (66.1-106.4), SUDPP4i 94.1 (73.9-14.3) (p = 0.04). Glucose time in range <3mmol/l on CGM (%) was unaffected: Control 1 (2-4), DPP4i 2 (3-6), SU 1 (0-4), SUDPP4i 3 (2-7) (p = 0.65). The increase in glucose sensitivity with sulphonylurea treatment was seen in men not women. Conclusions Combination low dose gliclazide with a DPP4i has potent glucose lowering effect through augmentation of beta cell function. Glucose reduction was achieved at gliclazide concentrations far below those achieved with standard therapeutic doses. A double-blind randomised controlled trial is merited to formalise efficacy and safety of this combination, which may avoid negative aspects of SU and provide pharmacoeconomic benefit in diabetes care.
The interplay between air pollution, built environment, and physical activity: perceptions of children and youth in rural and urban India

The role of physical inactivity as a contributor to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) risk in children and youth is widely recognized. Air pollution and built environment can limit participation in physical activity and exacerbate NCD risk; however, the relationships between perceptions of air pollution, built environment, and health behaviors are not fully understood, particularly among children and youth in low and middle-income countries. Currently, there are no studies capturing how child and youth perceptions of air pollution and built environment influence physical activity in India, thus, this study investigates the association between perceived air pollution and built environmental factors on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels of children and youth in both rural and urban India. Online surveys captured MVPA, perception of air pollution and built environment factors, as well as relevant sociodemographic characteristics from parents and children aged 5 to 17 years in partnership with 41 schools across 28 urban and rural locations during the Coronavirus disease lockdowns in 2021. After adjusting for age, gender, and location, a significant association was found between the perception of air pollution and MVPA levels ({beta} = -18.365, p < 0.001). Similarly, the perception of a high crime rate was associated with lower MVPA levels ({beta} = -23.383, p = 0.002). Reporting the presence of zebra crossings and pedestrian signals or attractive natural sightings was associated with higher MVPA levels; however, this association varied across sociodemographic groups. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing air pollution and improving the built environment to facilitate outdoor active living, including active transportation -- solutions that are particularly relevant not only for NCD risk mitigation, but also for climate change adaptation.
Incidence and Severity of COVID-19 with the use of the MMR Vaccine before or after the COVID-19 Vaccine

Introduction: The MMR vaccine has been shown by several studies over the years to have a potent effect on heterologous immunity. The reduction in mortality and respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases in childhood has been consolidated with recent studies demonstrating a better evolution of COVID-19 with the use of this vaccine. Stimulation of innate immunity by the MMR vaccine can be very useful, both used alone or in association with other vaccines, especially those for COVID-19. Objectives: To evaluate the decrease in the incidence of infection or severity of COVID-19 with the use of the MMR vaccine before and after the use of specific vaccines against COVID-19. Methods: This extension analysis followed 120 volunteers healthcare professionals aged 18 to 60 who received the MMR vaccine before the specific COVID-19 vaccine and 73 volunteers who used the MMR vaccine after the COVID-19 vaccine. Visits to the Research Center were carried out at an average interval of 4 weeks for 12 weeks. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was performed using the RT-PCR technique for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Results: The most used vaccine against COVID-19 was Coronavac in 59.1%. A total of 44 cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed (20% of the sample), the vast majority of which were mild cases (70.5%). There was no difference in the incidence and severity of COVID-19 in health professionals who used the MMR vaccine before or after the specific vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus (Coronavirus or AstraZeneca). Conclusion: The incidence and severity of COVID-19 does not differ with the use of the MMR vaccine before or after the specific vaccine against COVID-19.
Spatiotemporal modelling of cholera and implications for its control, Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The African Great Lakes region including Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is a hotspot for cholera transmission. We evaluated the local and global clustering of cholera using 5 years (2016-2020) of suspected cases positive by rapid diagnostic test in Uvira, South Kivu to detect spatiotemporal clusters and the extent of zones of increased risk around cases. We detected 26 clusters (mean radius 652m and mean duration 24.8 days) which recurred annually in three locations and typically preceded seasonal outbreaks. We found a 1100m zone of increased infection risk around cases during the 5 days following clinic attendance for the 2016-2020 period and a 600m radius risk zone for 2020 alone. These risk zone sizes correspond with the area typically used for targeted intervention in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Our findings underscore the value of the site-specific evaluation of clustering to guide targeted control efforts.
Influence of grass mulch application on tubers size and yield of ware potatoes

The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effect of grass mulch and the term of its application on the yield and quality of potatoes and weed biomass under organic system. The experiment with 2 varieties of early potatoes (Finka and Katka), 2 row spacings (28 000 and 38 000 tubers per hectare) and 2 terms of grass mulch application (after planting and after second hoeing) was carried out in the Czech Republic in 2008. Results showed that the yield was influenced mostly by mulching (55.9 %), then by variety (39.2 %) and by growth structure (4.9 %). The highest yield was reached in the variant with grass mulch applicated after planting. The yield of this variant increased statistically about 9.3 t/ha in comparison with control variant (bare soil). Results of the weed control showed a positive effect of grass mulch on weed biomass, where the lowest weed biomass was found out in variant with grass mulch applicated after planting (weed biomass was lower by 67.6 % in comparison with the control variant - bare soil).
Neuroimaging-AI Endophenotypes of Brain Diseases in the General Population: Towards a Dimensional System of Vulnerability

Disease heterogeneity poses a significant challenge for precision diagnostics in both clinical and subclinical stages. Recent work leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) has offered promise to dissect this heterogeneity by identifying complex intermediate phenotypes, herein called dimensional neuroimaging endophenotypes (DNEs), which subtype various neurologic and neuropsychiatric diseases. We investigate the presence of nine such DNEs derived from independent yet harmonized studies on Alzheimer's disease (AD1-2), autism spectrum disorder (ASD1,2,3), late-life depression (LLD1,2), and schizophrenia (SCZ1,2), in the general population of 39,178 participants in the UK Biobank study. Phenome-wide associations revealed prominent associations between the nine DNEs and phenotypes related to the brain and other human organ systems. This phenotypic landscape aligns with the SNP-phenotype genome-wide associations, revealing 31 genomic loci associated with the nine DNEs (Bonferroni corrected P-value < 5xE-8/9). The DNEs exhibited significant genetic correlations, colocalization, and causal relationships with multiple human organ systems and chronic diseases. A causal effect (odds ratio=1.25 [1.11, 1.40], P-value=8.72x10-4) was established from AD2, characterized by focal medial temporal lobe atrophy, to AD. The nine DNEs and their polygenic risk scores significantly improved the prediction accuracy for 14 systemic disease categories and mortality. These findings underscore the potential of the nine DNEs to identify individuals at a high risk of developing the four brain diseases during preclinical stages for precision diagnostics. All results are publicly available at: http://labs.loni. usc.edu/medicine/.
TFF1 a new Biomarker in Liquid Biopsies of Retinoblastoma under Therapy

Effective management of retinoblastoma (RB), the most prevalent childhood eye cancer, depends on reliable monitoring and diagnosis. A promising candidate in this context is the secreted trefoil family factor peptide 1 (TFF1), recently discovered as a promising new biomarker in patients with a more advanced subtype of retinoblastoma. The present study investigated TFF1 expression within aqueous humor (AH) of enucleated eyes and com-pared TFF1 levels in AH and corresponding blood serum samples from RB patients un-dergoing intravitreal chemotherapy (IVC). TFF1 was consistently detectable in AH, con-firming its potential as a biomarker. Crucially, our data confirmed that TFF1 secreting cells within the tumor mass originate from RB tumor cells, not from surrounding stromal cells. IVC therapy responsive patients exhibited remarkably reduced TFF1 levels post-therapy. By contrast, RB patients` blood serum displayed low to undetectable levels of TFF1 even after sample concentration and no therapy-dependent changes were ob-served. Our findings suggest that compared to blood serum AH represents the more relia-ble source for TFF1 if used for liquid biopsy RB marker analysis in RB patients. Thus, analysis of TFF1 in AH of RB patients potentially provides a minimal invasive tool for monitoring RB therapy efficacy, suggesting its importance for effective treatment regi-mens.
Safety and Immunogenicity of XBB.1.5-Containing mRNA Vaccines

Background: Subvariants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) omicron XBB-lineage have the potential to escape immunity provided by prior infection or vaccination. For Covid-19 immunizations beginning in the Fall 2023, the U.S. FDA has recommended updating to a monovalent omicron XBB.1. 5-containing vaccine. Methods: In this ongoing, phase 2/3 study participants were randomized 1:1 to receive 50-{micro}g doses of mRNA-1273.815 monovalent (50-{micro}g omicron XBB.1.5 spike mRNA) or mRNA-1273.231 bivalent (25-{micro}g omicron XBB.1.5 and 25-{micro}g omicron BA.4/BA.5 spike mRNAs)vaccines, administered as 5th doses, to adults who previously received a primary series and 3rd dose of an original mRNA coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine, and a 4th dose of a bivalent (omicron BA.4/BA.5 and original SARS-CoV-2) vaccine. Interim safety and immunogenicity data 15 days post-vaccination are presented. Results: In April 2023, participants received mRNA-1273.815 (n=50) and mRNA-1273.231 (n=51). The median intervals from the prior dose of BA.4/BA.5-containing bivalent vaccine were 8.2 and 8.3 months for the mRNA-1273.815 and mRNA-1273.231 groups, respectively. Both vaccines increased neutralizing antibody (nAb) geometric mean titers against all variants tested at day 15 post-booster nAb compared to pre-booster levels. Geometric mean fold-rises from pre-booster titers after the monovalent booster were higher against XBB.1. 5, XBB.1. 16 and SARS-CoV-2 (D614G) than those of the bivalent booster and were comparable against BA.4/BA.5 and BQ1.1 variants for both vaccines. The monovalent vaccine also elicited nAb responses against omicron XBB.2. 3.2, EG.5.1, and FL.1. 5.1 that were similar to those seen for XBB.1. 5 in a subset (n=20) of participants. The occurrence of solicited adverse reactions and unsolicited adverse events were overall similar to those previously reported for the original mRNA-1273 50-{micro}g and omicron BA.4/BA.5-containing bivalent mRNA-1273 vaccines. Conclusion: In this interim analysis, XBB.1. 5-containing monovalent and bivalent vaccines elicited potent neutralizing responses against variants of the omicron XBB-lineage (XBB.1.5, XBB.1.6, XBB.2.3.2) as well as more recent (EG.5.1, FL.1.5.1) variants. The safety profile of the XBB.1. 5-containing vaccine was consistent with those of prior vaccines. These results support the Covid-19 vaccine update in 2023-2024 to a monovalent XBB.1. 5-containing vaccine.
Thinking about the consequences: The detrimental role of future thinking on intrapersonal problem-solving in depression

Despite the fact that depressed individuals encounter a multitude of social problems in daily life, research on social problem-solving has largely been dominated by research on interpersonal problems and there is a paucity of research on intrapersonal problems. Intrapersonal problems are linked to one’s subjective psychological functioning and involve managing one’s own feelings and emotions pertaining to the self. Given that depressed individuals exhibit impaired emotion regulation, it is possible that their ability to solve intrapersonal problems may be impaired, especially in relation to future thinking. The aim of this study was to investigate whether future thinking, in the form of thinking about the consequences of a problem being resolved or remaining unresolved has an impact on intrapersonal problem-solving in depression. Forty-five depressed and fifty-four non-depressed participants completed a modified version of the means end problem-solving task (MEPS). In the task, participants were presented with a series of intrapersonal problems and were asked to generate consequences of the problems being resolved or remaining unresolved. Participants were then presented with a positive resolution to each of the problems and were asked to solve the problem to achieve the positive resolution. Following a delay, participants were asked to recall all of the consequences initially generated. Overall, depressed individuals generated fewer-relevant means and less effective solutions to problems than non-depressed participants. Depressed individuals also demonstrated impaired intrapersonal problem-solving following the generation of resolved and unresolved consequences, compared to a baseline condition, where no consequences were generated. These findings suggest that future thinking impairs intrapersonal problem-solving and indicates that a more nuanced approach to future thinking and social problem-solving in depression is needed across different real-life problem-solving contexts.