Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SEASONAL CLIMATE FORECASTING AND THE RELEVANCE OF LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Seasonal climatic forecasting is one of the more promising experimental technologies now being developed to help mitigate the risks posed by climatic hazards for agricultural production in developing nations. However, numerous studies of traditional agricultural communities have shown that farmers already often manage climatic risk through traditional methods of climate prediction and ritual. This local knowledge may or may not accurately predict climatic events, but it characterizes the demand for climate information and indicates how new climate forecasts might be received. Based on ethnographic data, this paper describes traditional climate prediction methods of farmers in Tlaxcala, Mexico to illustrate the relevance of local climate knowledge for seasonal forecasting. [Key words: climate forecasting, agriculture, local knowledge, Mexico. ]
Seasonal changes in pathways of dissolved organic carbon through a hillslope soil (Xeralf) with contrasting texture

The pathways of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) through a podzolic soil (Xeralf) with strong texture contrast are described. During winter, most of the DOC passes through macropores in the profile and flows laterally through the B horizons. During summer the presence of dry, hydrophobic organic matter on the soil surface and the A1 horizon causes DOC to flow overland. DOC concentrations vary seasonally. Highest concentrations are measured during summer overland flow. For all horizons, the longer the dry period the greater the DOC concentration in the subsequent flow. During storm events there is a marked flushing effect in the B horizons but in the A horizon and the surface, DOC concentrations tend to rise. There was a marked decrease in DOC concentration in flow from the B3 compared to the upper horizons. This may be due to adsorption by fine clays lining the macropores.
Age-Related Differences in the Luminal and Mucosa-Associated Gut Microbiome of Broiler Chickens and Shifts Associated with Campylobacter jejuni Infection

Despite the importance of gut microbiota for broiler performance and health little is known about the composition of this ecosystem, its development and response towards bacterial infections. Therefore, the current study was conducted to address the composition and structure of the microbial community in broiler chickens in a longitudinal study from day 1 to day 28 of age in the gut content and on the mucosa. Additionally, the consequences of a Campylobacter (C.) jejuni infection on the microbial community were assessed. The composition of the gut microbiota was analyzed with 16S rRNA gene targeted Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Sequencing of 130 samples yielded 51,825,306 quality-controlled sequences, which clustered into 8285 operational taxonomic units (OTUs; 0.03 distance level) representing 24 phyla. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Tenericutes were the main components of the gut microbiota, with Proteobacteria and Firmicutes being the most abundant phyla (between 95.0 and 99.7% of all sequences) at all gut sites. Microbial communities changed in an age-dependent manner. Whereas, young birds had more Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Tenericutes dominated in older birds (>14 days old). In addition, 28 day old birds had more diverse bacterial communities than young birds. Furthermore, numerous significant differences in microbial profiles between the mucosa and luminal content of the small and large intestine were detected, with some species being strongly associated with the mucosa whereas others remained within the luminal content of the gut. Following oral infection of 14 day old broiler chickens with 1 × 108 CFU of C. jejuni NCTC 12744, it was found that C. jejuni heavily colonized throughout the small and large intestine. Moreover, C. jejuni colonization was associated with an alteration of the gut microbiota with infected birds having a significantly lower abundance of Escherichia (E.) coli at different gut sites. On the contrary, the level of Clostridium spp. was higher in infected birds compared with birds from the negative controls. In conclusion, the obtained results demonstrate how the bacterial microbiome composition changed within the early life of broiler chickens in the gut lumen and on the mucosal surface. Furthermore, our findings confirmed that the Campylobacter carrier state in chicken is characterized by multiple changes in the intestinal ecology within the host.
Numerical simulations of spiral‐shaped inclusion trails: can 3D geometry distinguish between end‐member models of spiral formation?

Numerical 3D simulations of the development of spiral inclusion trails in porphyroblasts were conducted in order to test the proposals that (a) 3D spiral geometry differs between the rotation and nonrotation end‐member models of spiral formation proposed in the literature, and (b) 3D spiral geometry can be used as a criterion to distinguish between the two end‐member models in rocks. Four principal differences are identified between the two sets of simulations: smoothness of spiral curvature; spacing of foliation planes; alignment of individual foliation planes either side of the sphere representing the porphyroblast; and spiral asymmetry with respect to matrix shear sense. Of these differences, only spiral asymmetry and possibly the alignment of individual foliation planes are diagnostic criteria for distinguishing between the end‐member models. In the absence of a readily applied test to distinguish the end‐member models, interpretation of spiral inclusion trails is problematic. It is necessary to determine complementary evidence to distinguish porphyroblast rotation or nonrotation during spiral formation.
Gene expression analysis of TIL rich HPV-driven head and neck tumors reveals a distinct B-cell signature when compared to HPV independent tumors

Human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has a better prognosis than it's HPV negative (HPV(−)) counterpart. This may be due to the higher numbers of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in HPV positive (HPV(+)) tumors. RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) was used to evaluate whether the differences in clinical behaviour simply reflect a numerical difference in TILs or whether there is a fundamental behavioural difference between TILs in these two settings. Thirty-nine HNSCC tumors were scored for TIL density by immunohistochemistry. After the removal of 16 TILlow tumors, RNA-Seq analysis was performed on 23 TILhigh/med tumors (HPV(+) n=10 and HPV(−) n=13). Using EdgeR, differentially expressed genes (DEG) were identified. Immune subset analysis was performed using Functional Analysis of Individual RNA-Seq/ Microarray Expression (FAIME) and immune gene RNA transcript count analysis. In total, 1,634 DEGs were identified, with a dominant immune signature observed in HPV(+) tumors. After normalizing the expression profiles to account for differences in B- and T-cell number, 437 significantly DEGs remained. A B-cell associated signature distinguished HPV(+) from HPV(−) tumors, and included the DEGs CD200, GGA2, ADAM28, STAG3, SPIB, VCAM1, BCL2 and ICOSLG; the immune signal relative to T-cells was qualitatively similar between TILs of both tumor cohorts. Our findings were validated and confirmed in two independent cohorts using TCGA data and tumor-infiltrating B-cells from additional HPV(+) HNSCC patients. A B-cell associated signal segregated tumors relative to HPV status. Our data suggests that the role of B-cells in the adaptive immune response to HPV(+) HNSCC requires re-assessment.
Vein Morphology in Endoscopic Vein Harvesting: 15-Year Outcomes

Objective: Long-term outcomes of vein morphologies in the endoscopic vein harvesting setting are lacking. We analyzed 15-year follow-up for endoscopic versus open vein harvesting and associated vein morphology outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting at a single center. Methods: This single-center, prospectively collected, retrospective, observational study evaluated 15-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) of endoscopic versus open vein harvesting and associated vein morphologies. Results: Among 729 patients, no differences were found between endoscopic and open vein harvesting in MACE hazard ratios despite increased risks with native Hawai’ian, Pacific Islander, and Filipino patients. Asian and Filipino patients had more thin-walled veins and Asian and multirace patients had more vasovasoral branches than White patients. Bifid veins were associated with increased risk of cardiac catheterization. Varicose veins were associated with myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and death. Thick-walled veins were associated with revascularization and dense adhesions with cardiac catheterization and revascularization. Conclusions: Fifteen-year adjusted MACE was similar between endoscopic and open vein harvesting in small coronary targets despite increased risks with native Hawai’ian, Pacific Islander, and Filipino patients. Bifid, varicose, thick-walled veins, and dense adhesions had worse MACE. Visual abstract
No difference in short-term readmissions following day-case vs. one overnight stay in patients having hip and knee arthroplasty: a nationwide register study of 51,042 procedures from 2010–2020

Background and purpose Day-case hip and knee arthroplasty has gained in popularity, but there are conflicting results regarding readmissions. We aimed to investigate differences in 30- and 90-day readmission rates between day-case patients and patients with a single overnight stay following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Patients and methods We identified day-case (DC) and overnight (ON) THA, TKA, and UKA patients, operated on between 2010 and 2020, from the Danish National Patient Register. Day-case surgery was defined as discharge on the day of surgery. Overnight readmissions within 30 or 90 days of surgery were considered readmissions. We compared readmission rates between DC and ON patients within arthroplasty types using logistic regression adjusted for patient characteristics and year of surgery. We included 29,486 THAs (1,353 DC and 28,133 ON), 15,116 TKAs (617 DC and 14,499 ON), and 6,440 UKAs (1,528 DC and 4,914 ON). Results The 30-day readmission rates were: DC-THA 4.4% vs. ON-THA 4.4% (adjusted odds-ratio [aOR] 1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91–1.6), DC-TKA 4.7% vs. ON-TKA 4.4% (aOR 1.1, CI 0.69–1.5), and DC-UKA 3.0% vs. ON-UKA 3.0% (aOR 1.1, CI 0.78–1.5). Similarly, no significant differences were present between DC and ON THA, TKA, and UKA regarding 90-day readmissions or time to readmission. Conclusion We found no differences in readmission rates between day-case THA, TKA, and UKA patients and patients with a single overnight stay.
Archaeobotanical investigations and human impact at the imperial harbour of Rome

Remnants of the ancient harbour of Rome are located in the Tiber delta area 3.5 km away from the present coastline. It was the main Rome maritime port from the middle of the first century to Late Antiquity. In 42 AD, emperor Claudius started the excavation of the harbour. Then, the Emperor Trajan added to the former construction, which had gradually silted up, a hexagonal basin in an inner position. The objective of this multidisciplinary study was to reconstruct the plant cultural landscape in the harbour applying detailed pollen, microcharcoal, and plant macroremains recovered from two cores (PTS5 and PTS13) drilled in the area of the Claudius harbour. The chronological framing of the records is based on stratigraphical criteria, radiocarbon dates, archaeological and historical data. The two cores record different periods of time. One core shows the first phases of the harbour activities, with a plant landscape typical of a coastal environment. The other one records a stronger human impact related to the presence of Portus town and of medieval settlements. Anthropogenic pollen indicators (sensu Behre and Jacomet 1991) as well as strong fire use/occurrence were increasing in the first centuries AD. These results will be completed with new core data from the extant Trajan lake, granting the possibility to study a record spanning the last two millennia.
Psychological treatment of PTSD with comorbid substance use disorder (SUD): expert recommendations of the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS)

ABSTRACT Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) are often comorbid and difficult to treat. The availability of evidence-based treatment guidelines is very limited and there is significant uncertainty about what best practice looks like. Objective: This paper describes the methodology used to develop expert recommendations for the assessment and psychological treatment of PTSD and comorbid SUD and presents the final recommendations. Methodology: A small committee of experts in the field of PTSD and SUD was formed on behalf of the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) Board. The committee developed recommendations based on a two-stage process. In the first stage a systematic review of randomised controlled trials of psychological interventions aimed at treating PTSD-SUD comorbidity was completed, and other recent relevant reviews systematic were also considered. To complement the recommendations based on systematic review, the second stage involved the review and collation of existing guidance, good practice and consensus recommendations made in methodologically rigorous clinical practice guidelines. Results: The two-stage process resulted in 9 recommendations related to assessment and 21 recommendations related to treatment planning and delivery. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to provide expert recommendations based on a systematic review of the literature and through collation of guidance provided in other authoritative and reliable sources. These expert recommendations will provide helpful guidance to clinicians and service providers in both addiction and mental health settings about appropriate clinical care for those with PTSD SUD comorbidity. HIGHLIGHTS This project aimed to develop expert recommendations for the assessment and psychological treatment of PTSD and comorbid substance use disorder. Trauma-focused psychological intervention combined with treatment for SUD is the most effective treatment for PTSD symptoms and for alcohol use disorder treatment benefits appear to be strongest when combined with alcohol targeted pharmacotherapy. The presence of co-occurring SUD should not prevent or exclude individuals from receiving established evidence-based treatments for PTSD and readiness to engage in evidence-based treatment should be evaluated on an individual basis.
The Heerenveen Batholith, Barberton Mountain Land, South Africa: Mesoarchaean, Potassic, Felsic Magmas Formed by Melting of an Ancient Subduction Complex

The Heerenveen batholith exemplifies an aerially extensive group of � 3·1 Ga felsic potassic batholiths that mark the final magmatic event associated with the cratonization of the central^eastern Kaapvaal Craton, and the transition from the earlier sodic tonalite^ trondhjemite^granodiorite (TTG) to the more recent style of monzogranitic and granitic magmatism. As is typical of these bodies, it is geochemically and mineralogically heterogeneous, sheeted in structure, and was assembled incrementally, with eight main units in four assembly stages. Apart from a metaluminous quartz monzonite, all the Heerenveen rocks are peraluminous.There are few identifiable geochemical lineages among the rocks of the batholith. The geochemical heterogeneity is largely due to protolith internal heterogeneity, tapping of multiple sources, pulsed magma extraction related to sequential occurrence of discrete melting reactions, and varying degrees of entrainment of peritectic minerals formed during partial melting of the crustal protoliths, together with varying structural controls on magma extraction and ascent, which allowed distinct magma sources to be tapped, at different periods during batholith assembly. Fractional crystallization, magma mixing and wall-rock assimilation were not significant processes. TTG rocks are not suitable source materials for any of the Heerenveen magmas; nor are highly aluminous metasediments. For magmatic rocks with SiO2570 wt %, the likely source rocks were intermediate to mafic igneous rocks, with variable degrees of K-enrichment. For those rocks with SiO2472 wt %, the sources were K-enriched intermediate to felsic rocks. It seems likely that the partial melting reactions that produced the Heerenveen magmas occurred at moderate temperatures and that hornblende was present in the residues. This suggests that initial melting may have occurred in the presence of an H2O-rich fluid. There is no evidence that the genesis of the potassic granitic magmas involved either recycling of TTG crust or the presence of aluminous metasediments in the deep crust. The K-enrichment in the protoliths was most probably due to their ultimate derivation from mantle rocks metasomatized by fluids evolved in subduction-like processes. The monzonite in the batholith may have been derived directly by partial melting of this metasomatized mantle.
Superimposed Subglacially streamlined landforms of southwest Scotland

Subglacially streamlined landforms The extent and pattern of former ice sheet flow is recorded in the type.and extent of glacial landforms in the landscape. Assembling this often fragmentary evidence allows reconstructions of palaeo-ice sheets and their evolution during glaciations. For example, ice-flow directions, ice streams and ice divides can be reconstructed using patterns and distributions of erratic dispersal, glacial striae and subglacially streamlined landforms (e.g. Boulton & Clark, 1990a, b; Clark, 1997, 1999; Stokes & Clark, 2001; Clark & Stokes, 2003). Streamlined landforms provide the most frequent and spatially extensive evidence of former ice flow and have been routinely employed in ice sheet reconstructions (e.g. Dyke & Prest, 1987; Boulton & Clark, 1990a, b; Kleman et al, 1997). These ice flow indicators include drumlins, flutings (flutes) and mega-lineations (flutings >10 km long) aligned parallel to the direction of former ice flow. Although the exact origin of such forms is hotly debated in glacial research, there is a consensus that such forms develop at the subglacial interface of wet-based ice masses by the moulding and/or grooving of subglacial materials (Fig. 1; Menzies, 1987; Benn, 1994; Clark, 1994; Benn & Evans, 1998; Evans & Benn, 1999; Clark et al., 2003). Wet-based conditions occur where glacier ice is at or close to the pressure melting point and so water exists at the ice-bed interface either as a thin water film or as porewater in till. This causes the overlying glacier to slide over its bed or elevate porewater pressures and cause till deformation, thereby constructing streamlined bedforms. An alternative interpretation, that streamlined features are the product of erosion by subglacial meltwater floods {e.g. Shaw, 1983, 1996; Shaw et al., 1989), continues to attract only limited support from glacial geomorphologists.
Lorcaserin for weight management

Type 2 diabetes and obesity commonly occur together. Obesity contributes to insulin resistance, a main cause of type 2 diabetes. Modest weight loss reduces glucose, lipids, blood pressure, need for medications, and cardiovascular risk. A number of approaches can be used to achieve weight loss, including lifestyle modification, surgery, and medication. Lorcaserin, a novel antiobesity agent, affects central serotonin subtype 2A receptors, resulting in decreased food intake and increased satiety. It has been studied in obese patients with type 2 diabetes and results in an approximately 5.5 kg weight loss, on average, when used for one year. Headache, back pain, nasopharyngitis, and nausea were the most common adverse effects noted with lorcaserin. Hypoglycemia was more common in the lorcaserin groups in the clinical trials, but none of the episodes were categorized as severe. Based on the results of these studies, lorcaserin was approved at a dose of 10 mg twice daily in patients with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 or ≥27 kg/m2 with at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia, in addition to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. Lorcaserin is effective for weight loss in obese patients with and without type 2 diabetes, although its specific role in the management of obesity is unclear at this time. This paper reviews the clinical trials of lorcaserin, its use from the patient perspective, and its potential role in the treatment of obesity.
The effect of volcanism on cool-water carbonate facies during maximum inundation of Zealandia in the Waitaki–Oamaru region

The paleogeography of the Waitaki–Oamaru region during the Oligocene–Miocene maximum inundation was defined by a volcanic paleohigh producing a rimmed cool-water carbonate shelf geometry. Basaltic surtseyan style cones became the setting for a productive cool-water carbonate factory isolated from terrigenous input. To the west, impure wackestones and calcareous siltstones contain terrigenous material derived from low relief landmasses farther to the west. A lowstand following the cessation of volcanism caused the paleohigh to become subaerially exposed, forming an extensive dissolution surface in the east correlative with submarine firmgrounds to the west. Stronger currents from the south and significant storm events sweeping over the high reworked carbonate and glauconitic sediment and deposited it in channels to the north. Carbonate deposition west of the paleohigh filled in the deeper part of the basin eventually resulting in a wider, shallower and more regular shelf environment. Depositional environments of the Waitaki–Oamaru region during the Waitakian (Late Oligocene–Early Miocene) were overall shallower than during the earlier Whaingaroan (Early Oligocene) Stage when a more complex paleotopography existed. This is unlike elsewhere in New Zealand where maximum depth was reached during the Waitakian Stage. Thus, the existence of an isolated, submerged paleohigh in a cool-water carbonate basin can have a significant effect on the evolution of that basin, stimulating carbonate factories to develop where they might otherwise not.
The Causal Effect of Obesity on the Risk of 15 Autoimmune Diseases: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Introduction: Observational studies have shown that obesity is a risk factor for various autoimmune diseases. However, the causal relationship between obesity and autoimmune diseases is unclear. Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to investigate the causal effects of obesity on 15 autoimmune diseases. Methods: MR analysis employed instrumental variables, specifically single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with obesity measures such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio. The study utilized UK Biobank and FinnGen data to estimate the causal relationship between obesity and autoimmune diseases. Results: Genetically predicted BMI was associated with risk for five autoimmune diseases. The odds ratio per 1-SD increase in genetically predicted BMI, the OR was 1.28 (95% CI, 1.18–1.09; p < 0.001) for asthma, 1.37 (95% CI, 1.24–1.51; p < 0.001) for hypothyroidism, 1.52 (95% CI, 1.27–1.83; p < 0.001) for psoriasis, 1.22 (95% CI, 1.06–1.40; p = 0.005) for rheumatoid arthritis, and 1.55 (95% CI, 1.32–1.83; p < 0.001) for type 1 diabetes. However, after adjusting for genetic susceptibility to drinking and smoking, the correlation between BMI and rheumatoid arthritis was not statistically significant. Genetically predicted waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist and hip circumference were associated with 6, 6, and 1 autoimmune disease, respectively. Conclusion: This study suggests that obesity may be associated with an increased risk of several autoimmune diseases, such as asthma, hypothyroidism, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes.