Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantifying Long-Term Bird Population Responses to Simulated Harvest Plans and Cumulative Effects of Disturbance

There is interest in linking outputs from land use simulators to bird species distribution models to project how boreal birds will respond to cumulative effects of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) conservation, harvest, fire, and energy-sector development in Alberta. Our hypotheses were: (1) species associated with older mixed-wood stands would decline more if harvest was shifted away from areas used by caribou to areas with more mixed-wood; and (2) species associated with older forests would be more negatively affected by the combined effects of harvest, fire, and non-forestry footprint than by harvest alone. We used vegetation data from two harvest scenarios produced in Patchworks as inputs for density models of 20 boreal forest songbird and woodpecker species in Alberta. We projected abundance of these species over 50 years under: 1) two scenarios created in Patchworks, without fire but with and without deferral of timber harvest within a caribou conservation zone on lands tenured to Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc.; (2) a scenario with fire but no human footprint; and (3) five scenarios in ALCES Online, in which habitat was affected by Patchworks harvest locations, fire (1–2 × current rate), and energy sector development (present or absent; with or without seismic line reclamation to improve caribou habitat). In the Patchworks scenarios, we found similar projected numbers of each bird species over time, whether harvest deferral occurred or not. Both harvest plans increased habitat and numbers for most species associated with older forests over 50 years, while most species associated with younger forests declined in both harvest plans, because average projected forest age increased over 50 years. Fire and other footprint generally reduced relative amount of habitat for species associated with older forests, which still increased over time, while other species responded positively or less negatively to fire. Seismic restoration created habitat for three-quarters of species that responded negatively to energy sector development over 50 years. As projections depended on whether just harvest, fire or all footprints were analyzed, multiple human impacts over time beyond harvest should be considered in conservation and land use planning based on long-term predictions about wildlife in anthropogenic landscapes.
Plasticity in the Brain after a Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury in Adults

In this chapter, we aim to discuss the neurophysiological basis of the brain reorganization (also called plasticity) that associates with a traumatic brachial plexus injury (TBPI), as well as following the brachial plexus surgical reconstruction and its physical rehabilita- tion. We start by reviewing core aspects of plasticity following peripheral injuries such as amputation and TBPI as well as those associated with chronic pain conditions. Then, we present recent results collected by our team centered on physiological measurements of plasticity after TBPI. Finally, we discuss that an important limitation in the field is the lack of systematic measurement of TBPI clinical features. We finish by proposing possible future venues in the domain of brain plasticity following a TBPI. development of approaches allowing putting together more detailed clinical investigation protocols and that of brain mechanisms associated to plasticity after TBPI.
A Survey on Visual Navigation for Artificial Agents With Deep Reinforcement Learning

Visual navigation (vNavigation) is a key and fundamental technology for artificial agents’ interaction with the environment to achieve advanced behaviors. Visual navigation for artificial agents with deep reinforcement learning (DRL) is a new research hotspot in artificial intelligence and robotics that incorporates the decision making of DRL into visual navigation. Visual navigation via DRL, an end-to-end method, directly receives the high-dimensional images and generates an optimal navigation policy. In this paper, we first present an overview on reinforcement learning (RL), deep learning (DL) and deep reinforcement learning (DRL). Then, we systematically describe five main categories of visual DRL navigation: direct DRL vNavigation, hierarchical DRL vNavigation, multi-task DRL vNavigation, memory-inference DRL vNavigation and vision-language DRL vNavigation. These visual DRL navigation algorithms are reviewed in detail. Finally, we discuss the challenges and some possible opportunities to visual DRL navigation for artificial agents.
The Role of Diet, Eating Behavior, and Nutrition Intervention in Seasonal Affective Disorder: A Systematic Review

Background: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a biological and mood disorder with a seasonal pattern. Dietary intervention and nutritional status have been reported to affect SAD severity. The objective of this study was to systematically review the evidence of associations between SAD and diet, eating behavior, and nutrition intervention. Methods: We performed a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from inception up to July 1, 2019. Studies that examined diet and eating behaviors in SAD patients and tests of nutrition interventions for SAD were included. Two independent investigators extracted data based on study designs, participants, outcomes, exposures, and association measures. Results: Eleven studies were included: six studies examined distinctive dietary patterns and eating behaviors in SAD patients and five studies explored the efficacy of nutrition interventions for SAD. Vegetarianism and alcoholism were associated with higher SAD prevalence, but normal alcohol intake was not correlated with SAD severity. Compared with non-clinical subjects, SAD patients tended to consume significantly larger dinners and more evening snacks during weekdays and weekends and exhibit a higher frequency of binge eating, external eating, and emotional eating. Additionally, compared to healthy controls, SAD patients presented more cravings for starch-rich food and food with high fiber. However, neither the ingestion of carbohydrate-loaded meals nor Vitamin D/B12 supplementation showed benefit for SAD. Conclusion: Studies suggest that SAD patients may exhibit distinctive diet preferences and eating behaviors, but no current nutrition intervention has demonstrated efficacy for ameliorating SAD symptoms. Further evidence is needed from randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and longer durations.
Clinical Characterization of Parkinson's Disease Patients With Cognitive Impairment

Background: Cognitive impairment is one of the most frequent and disabling non-motor symptoms in Parkinson disease (PD) and encompasses a continuum from mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) to dementia (PDD). The risk factors associated with them are not completely elucidated. Objective: To characterize the presence and clinical presentation of PD-MCI and PDD in patients with idiopathic PD, examining motor and non-motor features and determining factors associated with cognitive impairment. Methods: Multicenter, cross-sectional study in 298 PD patients who underwent clinical [Hoehn and Yahr (HY) staging and Clinical Impression of Severity Index for Parkinson Disease], neurological [Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease (SCOPA)-Motor], neuropsychological (Mini Mental State Examination, SCOPA-Cognition, Frontal Assessment Battery and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale), neuropsychiatric [SCOPA-Psychiatric complications, SCOPA-Psychosocial (SCOPA-PS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)], and health-related quality of life [Parkinson Disease Questionnaire for quality of life (PDQ-8)] assessment. Movement Disorders Society criteria were applied to classify patients as normal cognition (NC), PD-MCI, and PDD. The association between variables was explored using multivariate binary and multinomial logistic regression models. Results: Seventy-two patients (24.2%) were classified as NC, 82 (27.5%) as PD-MCI, and 144 (48.3%) as PDD. These last two groups reported more psychosocial problems related with the disease (mean SCOPA-PS, 16.27 and 10.39, respectively), compared with NC (7.28) and lower quality-of-life outcomes (PDQ-8 48.98 and 28.42, respectively) compared to NC (19.05). The logistic regression analysis showed that both cognitive impaired groups had a more severe stage of PD measured by HY [odds ratio (OR) for MCI-PD, 2.45; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.22–4.90; OR for PDD 2.64; 95% CI, 1.17–5.98]. Specifically, age (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.16–1.47), years of education (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83–0.99), disease duration (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.07–1.32), HADS-D (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.06–1.35), and hallucinations (OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.16–7.69) were related to PDD. Conclusions: Cognitive impairment in PD is associated with more severe disease stage, resulting in a global, neuropsychiatric, psychosocial, and quality-of-life deterioration. This study provides a better understanding of the great impact that cognitive impairment has within the natural history of PD and its relationship with the rest of motor and non-motor symptoms in the disease.
The Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome and Facial Affect Processing in Adolescents With and Without Autism

Background Autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders both represent severely disabling neurodevelopmental disorders with marked impairments in social functioning. Despite an increased incidence of psychosis in autism, and substantial overlap in symptoms and cognitive markers, it is unclear whether such phenotypes are specifically related to risk for psychosis or perhaps reflect more general, idiosyncratic autism traits. The attenuated psychosis syndrome (APS) is primarily defined by the presence of attenuated psychotic symptoms, which currently constitute the best and most-replicated clinical predictors of psychosis, and are common in clinical youth with and without autism. The aims of this study were to test the hypothesis that facial affect processing is impaired in adolescents with APS and to explore whether such deficits are more indicative of psychotic or autistic phenotypes on a categorical and dimensional level. Materials and Method Fifty-three adolescents with APS and 81 typically developing controls (aged 12–18) were included. The APS group consisted of adolescents with (n = 21) and without (n = 32) a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Facial affect recognition was assessed with the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Tasks using a cascade model of cognitive processing, in which disturbances in “lower-level” cognitive abilities (pattern recognition), affect “higher-level” cognitive processes (face recognition and facial affect recognition). For associations with schizotypal and autistic-like traits the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire and Social Communication Questionnaire were used in a confirmatory item factor analysis framework. Results Contrary to expectation, APS in adolescents was not associated with impairments in pattern, face, or facial affect recognition. However, the APS group with autism spectrum disorder showed a general latency in response time to social and non-social stimuli. Dimensionally assessed schizotypal and autistic-like traits did not predict the accuracy or the speed of face or facial affect recognition. Conclusion Facial affect processing performance was not associated with APS in adolescence and represents an unlikely early vulnerability marker for psychosis. APS individuals with a more autistic-like profile were characterized by slower responses to social- and non-social stimuli, suggesting that the combined effect of APS and autism spectrum disorder on cognition is larger than for APS alone.
The Differential Role of Coping, Physical Activity, and Mindfulness in College Student Adjustment

Research has examined the function of stress management techniques, including coping, physical activity, and mindfulness on college students’ adjustment. The present study examined the differential contributions of three stress management techniques to students’ maladaptation (perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and loneliness) and adaptation (self-esteem). Undergraduate students (N = 1185) responded to an online survey. Hierarchical linear regression results indicated that all three stress management techniques – coping, physical activity, and mindfulness – were related to the five outcomes as predicted. Higher levels of disengagement coping strategies were related to higher perceived stress, anxiety, and depression. Components of mindfulness emerged as a strong predictor of adaptation.
Safety and effectiveness of dose-sparing strategies for seasonal influenza vaccine: a rapid scoping review of fractional dosing of the intramuscular influenza vaccine

Background: The objective of this rapid scoping review was to identify potentially safe and effective dose-sparing strategies for intramuscular administration of seasonal influenza vaccines in healthy individuals of all ages. Methods: Comprehensive literature searches were developed and executed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library, and grey literature was searched via international clinical trial registries for relevant studies published in English in the last 20 years. References of relevant systematic reviews and included studies were also scanned. Title/abstract and full-text screening were carried out by pairs of reviewers independently and data charting conducted by a single reviewer and verified by a second reviewer. Results were presented narratively. Results: A total of 13 studies with 10,351 participants were included in the review and all studies were randomized control trials conducted between 2006 and 2019. The most common interventions were the trivalent influenza vaccine (n=10), followed by quadrivalent influenza vaccine (n=4). Nine studies included infants/toddlers 6-36 months old and one of these studies also included children and adolescents. In these nine studies, no clinical effectiveness outcomes were reported and no difference was found in local and systemic reactogenicity between dosing strategies. Of the four adult studies ([≥] 18 years), the two studies that reported on effectiveness outcomes found similar results between the half-dose and full-dose vaccination groups and all four studies reported no differences in safety outcomes between groups. Conclusion: The current evidence for the administration of intramuscular influenza vaccines suggests there is no significant difference in safety and clinical effectiveness with the use of low-dose compared to full-dose vaccines, which is promising given the predicted resource constraints in the upcoming influenza season due to the 2019 novel coronavirus. Due to the low number of studies in adults and the lack of studies assessing confirmed influenza and influenza-like illness, there remains a need for further evaluation.
The Anatomy and Phylogeny of Spondylus, with a Particular Reference to the Lamellibranch Nervous System

A study of the anatomy of the rather rare Lamellibranch Spondylus , has always attracted the author, owing to the fact that at a comparatively early date the striking resemblance between the eyes of this creature and the remarkable eyes of the genus pecten been noted. In structure the eyes of pecten stand practically alone amongst invertebrate visual organs, and since, by reason of their complexity as well as number, their evolution has been associated with the faculty of swimming, it was a matter of considerable interest to determine the relationships of Pecten with Spondylus for whilst pecten can swim, Spondylus lives attached to rocks. The investigation was made purely from the above view-point, and hence minute details of histology, etc., have not been given. Resemblances to Pecten were expected. One very unexpected morphological anomaly turned up, however; and in the midst of a remarkable agreement with the genus Pecten , one system, the nervous system, presented a condition altogether unique amongst Lamellibranchs. To obviate repetition, reference should be made to an account of the anatomy of the genus Pecten by the author (Dakin, 1909) and also to a paper, following this, which deals with the eye.
COVID-19 pandemic in Djibouti: Epidemiology and the response strategy followed to contain the virus during the first two months, 17 March to 16 May 2020

Background: First cases of COVID-19 were reported from Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and it progressed rapidly. On 30 January, WHO declared the new disease as a PHEIC, then as a Pandemic on 11 March. By mid-March, the virus spread widely; Djibouti was not spared and was hit by the pandemic with the first case detected on 17 March. Djibouti worked with WHO and other partners to develop a preparedness and response plan, and implemented a series of intervention measures. MoH together with its civilian and military partners, closely followed WHO recommended strategy based on four pillars: testing, isolating, early case management, and contact tracing. From 17 March to 16 May, Djibouti performed the highest per capita tests in Africa and isolated, treated and traced the contacts of each positive case, which allowed for a rapid control of the epidemic. Methods: COVID-19 data included in this study was collected through MoH Djibouti during the period from 17 March to 16 May 2020. Results: A total of 1,401 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were included in the study with 4 related deaths (CFR: 0.3%) and an attack rate of 0.15%. Males represented (68.4%) of the cases, with the age group 31-45 years old (34.2%) as the most affected. Djibouti conducted 17,532 tests, and was considered as a champion for COVID-19 testing in Africa with 18.2 tests per 1000 habitant. All positive cases were isolated, treated and had their contacts traced, which led to early and proactive diagnosis of cases and in turn yielded up to 95-98% asymptomatic cases. Recoveries reached 69% of the infected cases with R0 (0.91). The virus was detected in 4 regions in the country, with the highest percentage in the capital (83%). Conclusion: Djibouti responded to COVID-19 pandemic following an efficient and effective strategy, using a strong collaboration between civilian and military health assets that increased the response capacities of the country. Partnership, coordination, solidarity, proactivity and commitment were the pillars to confront COVID-19 pandemic.
Immunotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a focus on special subgroups

Following the success of immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) in different cancer types, a large number of studies are currently investigating ICBs in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), alone or in combination with other treatments. Both nivolumab and pembrolizumab, as well as the combination of nivolumab plus ipilimumab have been granted accelerated approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration for sorafenib-pretreated patients. While nivolumab and pembrolizumab both failed to meet their primary endpoints in phase III trials, the combination of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab eventually improved overall and progression-free survival compared with sorafenib in a front-line phase III trial, and thus, will become the new standard of care in this setting. Despite this breakthrough, there are patient populations with certain underlying conditions that may not be ideal candidates for this new treatment either due to safety concerns or potential lack of efficacy. In this review, we discuss the safety of ICBs in patients with pre-existing autoimmune disease, IBD or a history of solid organ transplantation. Moreover, we summarise emerging preclinical and clinical data suggesting that ICBs may be less efficacious in patients with underlying non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or HCCs with activated Wnt/β-catenin signalling.
Case Report: Invasive Pentastomes, Raillietiella orientalis (Sambon, 1922), in a Free-Ranging Banded Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata) in North Central Florida, USA

Raillietiella orientalis is an obligate, crustacean parasite that resides in the respiratory tract of definitive snake hosts. Common throughout southeastern Asia and Australia, R. orientalis is believed to have been introduced into southern Florida, United States along with Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) in the 1990s. While the invasive range of Burmese pythons is restricted to southern Florida, R. orientalis has advanced north in the state in native snake species. R. orientalis were recovered from the lungs, trachea, oral cavity, and esophagus of an emaciated adult female free-ranging banded water snake (Nerodia fasciata) in north central (Alachua County), Florida, USA. Concurrent findings included the recovery of Ochetosoma sp. trematodes from the oral cavity, and multifocal dermal lesions consistent with snake fungal disease (Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola). This is the first report of R. orientalis in north central Florida, well outside the invasive range of the Burmese python, documenting the substantial northward expansion of the known geographical range of this invasive pentastome in Florida.
Biotic and Abiotic Factors Influencing Cisco Recruitment Dynamics in Lake Superior during 1978–2007

Abstract Historically, the Cisco Coregonus artedi was abundant throughout the Great Lakes basin, but anthropogenic influences caused the collapse of stocks during the mid-1900s, and fishery managers are currently exploring options for restoration. To increase understanding of biotic and abiotic factors influencing Cisco recruitment dynamics throughout the Great Lakes, we used Ricker stock–recruitment models with rearing-habitat-weighted indices of recruitment and adult spawning stock size in Lake Superior to identify and quantify (1) the appropriate spatial scale for modeling age-1 recruitment dynamics and (2) the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on age-1 recruitment dynamics within the regions identified for modeling. Cisco recruitment variation in Lake Superior was best described by a regional model with separate stock–recruitment relationships for western, southern, eastern, and northern regions. The spatial scale for modeling was approximately 260 km. Age-1 recruitment was negatively correlated w.