Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parental Preferences for Expanded Newborn Screening: What Are the Limits?

The use of next-generation sequencing technologies such as genomic sequencing in newborn screening (NBS) could enable the detection of a broader range of conditions. We explored parental preferences and attitudes towards screening for conditions for which varying types of treatment exist with a cross-sectional survey completed by 100 parents of newborns who received NBS in Ontario, Canada. The survey included four vignettes illustrative of hypothetical screening targets, followed by questions assessing parental attitudes. Chi-square tests were used to compare frequency distributions of preferences. Results show that most parents supported NBS for conditions for which only supportive interventions are available, but to a significantly lesser degree than those with disease-specific treatments (99% vs. 82–87%, p ≤ 0.01). For conditions without an effective treatment, the type of supportive care and age of onset of the condition did not significantly alter parent perceptions of risks and benefits. Parents are interested in expanded NBS for conditions with only supportive interventions in childhood, despite lower levels of perceived benefit for the child and greater anticipated anxiety from screen-positive results. These preferences suggest that the expansion of NBS may require ongoing deliberation of perceived benefits and risks and enhanced approaches to education, consent, and support.
Contribution of genes related to grain number (Gn1a and WFP) introgressed into NERICA 1 to grain yield under tropical highland conditions in central Kenya

ABSTRACT In Kenya and many other African countries, improving rice productivity is vital for future food security. To improve rice productivity in Kenya, near-isogenic lines (NIL) were developed by introducing Gn1a and WFP, genes that function to increase grain number per panicle by increasing secondary and primary rachis-branches, into NERICA 1, a registered variety in Kenya. The aim of this study was to determine whether the introduction of these genes has the potential to improve rice productivity under tropical highland conditions in central Kenya. Field experiments were conducted in 2016 and 2017 at a lowland rice field in Mwea, Kenya, under different nitrogen fertilization conditions using three lines of NERICA 1 introgressed with Gn1a and/or WFP (NIL-Gn1a, NIL-WFP, and NIL-Gn1a+WFP) and their recurrent parents, NERICA 1. Two years of field experiments revealed that the introgression lines enhanced grain yield by increasing the number of primary and secondary rachis-branches and the number of grains per panicle. Gn1a and WFP showed additive effects and the introgression of both genes alleviated the negative effects on yield components observed in the introgressed lines, resulting in higher grain yield. Sufficient nitrogen fertilization was required to increase yield in the single-gene introgression lines. However, the line with both Gn1a and WFP achieved reasonable yields even under low fertilizer conditions in Mwea, Kenya. As these introgression lines have similar growing characteristics to their parent variety, they are expected to contribute to increased rice production in Kenya and similar environments in sub-Saharan Africa. Graphical abstract
IMPACT ANALYSIS OF SPATIAL DATA AGGREGATION ON TRANSPORTATION FORECASTED DEMAND : A GIS APPROACH

This paper tracks the influence of spatial unit aggregation and spatial unit delineation on forecasted transport demand by providing a GIS-based computer simulation system in which the traffic analysis zone (TAZ) system is designed using criteria such as homogeneity contiguity, and similar size population areas. TRANSPLAN, a commercially available transportation planning software package, is integrated into GIS (ARC/INFO) and used to capture the major characteristics of the transportation system.
Landscape and Urban Planning

Perceived safety influences women’s use of green environments (GE) for physical activity with considerable implications on health. In order to address gender inequality in GE use, the effects of physical and social environmental factors on women’s perception of safety must be assessed. To achieve this, a pilot study designed and implemented a safety map based on a qualitative Geographic Information System (qGIS) methodology, in an urban stream corridor of the Metropolitan Region of Barcelona. Fourteen in-depth interviews with women users of the stream corridor were conducted to identify influencing environmental factors (i.e., lighting, vegetation density, visibility, and presence of streets, residential areas, industrial areas, parking areas, green areas, abandoned areas and discotheques, for the physical; and presence of truck drivers and vandals, and user density, for the social). These factors were translated into four spatial indicators (visibility, vegetation density, lighting, and land use) to allow for generation of safety index values. The safety map combined the safety index values with individual perceptions. The integration of qualitative and quantitative methods served to compare and contrast micro-scale individual perceptions with general perceptions of safety at the GE macro-scale. The safety map pointed out the importance of providing “eyes on the GE” and provided a nuanced understanding of how perceptions are mediated by women’s background (patriarchal vision of public space, criminal stereotypes and vulnerability of women) and everyday practices (recurrent use of GE). The map identified the areas that merit decision-makers’ attention to develop strategies for reverting gender inequality in GE use.
Landscape and Urban Planning

Inspired by the narrative nature of Landscape Character Assessment (LCA), we present a complete workflow to (i) build a collection of almost 7000 online texts capturing first-person perception of the Lake District National Park in England, and (ii) analyse these for sight, sound and smell perception. We extract and classify more than 28,000 descriptions referring to sight, almost 1500 to sound and 78 to smell experiences using text analysis. The resulting descriptions can be explored for the whole Lake District revealing for example, how traffic noise intrudes on experiences in the mountains close to transportation axes. Linking descriptions to LCA areas allow us to compare properties of different regions in terms of scenicness or tranquillity at a macro-level by identifying, for example, LCA areas dominated by descriptions of tranquillity or anthropogenic sounds. At a micro-level, we can zoom in to individual descriptions and landscape elements to understand how particular places are experienced in context. Local experts gave positive feedback about the utility of such information as a monitoring tool complementary to existing approaches. Our method has potential for use both in allowing comparison over time and identifying emerging themes discussed in online texts. It provides a scalable way of collecting multiple perspectives from written text, however, more work is required to understand by whom, and why, these contributions are authored. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan. 2020.103757 Posted at the Zurich Open Repository and Archive, University of Zurich ZORA URL: https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-185108 Journal Article Published Version The following work is licensed under a Creative Commons: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License. Originally published at: Koblet, Olga; Purves, Ross S (2020). From online texts to Landscape Character Assessment: Collecting and analysing first-person landscape perception computationally. Landscape and Urban Planning, 197:103757. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan. 2020.103757
Impact of planned versus emergency cesarean delivery on neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by abnormal placentation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Although planned cesarean delivery (PCD) is the mainstay of management for abnormal placentation, some patients still require emergency cesarean delivery (ECD). We aimed to systematically analyze the impact of various modes of delivery on neonatal outcomes. Methods: This study was complied with the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in the PROSPERO (code: CRD42022379487). A systematic search was conducted on Ovid MEDLINE and Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, and the Cochrane databases. Data extracted included gestational age at delivery, birth weight, the Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes, numbers of newborns with low Apgar score (<7) at 5 minutes, the rates of neonatal intensive care unit admission, and the rates of neonatal mortality. Results: Fifteen cohort studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising a total of 2565 women (2567 neonates) who underwent PCD (n = 1483) or ECD (n = 1082) for prenatally diagnosed placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) and/or placenta previa (PP). Compared with the ECD group, neonates in the PCD group had significantly higher gestational ages (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 2.20; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25–3.15; P < .001), birth weights (SMD: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.00–2.27; P < .001), and Apgar scores at 1 minute (SMD: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.29–0.73; P < .001) and 5 minutes (SMD: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.25–0.70; P < .001). Additionally, the PCD group had significantly lower rates of neonatal intensive care unit admission (odds ratio [OR]: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.14–0.29; P < .001), low Apgar score at 5 minutes (OR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.11–0.69; P = .01), and neonatal mortality (OR: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.05–0.33; P < .001). Conclusion: When pregnancies are complicated by abnormal placentation, PCD is linked to noticeably better neonatal outcomes than emergent delivery.
A deep learning approach to enhance the temporal resolution of laser speckle imaging system for blood flow measurement

Laser speckle based superficial and deep tissue blood flow imaging is gaining interest with the advent of high speed cameras. Multi-exposure speckle intensity images are often utilized for this purpose, owing to the better quantification of flow. However, any uncertainty in selecting the required exposure range apriori and the data acquisition time associated with multi-exposure intensity measurements limit the temporal resolution of these systems. To address these concerns, we propose a deep learning-based imputation using Generative Adversarial Imputation Network (GAIN) to generate additional temporal samples from coarsely acquired multi-exposure speckle data. The feasibility of the proposed method has been verified by using simulations where the trade-off between temporal resolution and the accuracy of flow measurement is minimized.
A Secure Power System Distributed State Estimation via a Consensus-Based Mechanism and a Cooperative Trust Management Strategy

Future power systems are integrated more and more with digitalized and decentralized platforms in their cyber and physical domains such as industrial IoT (IIoT) technology and distributed energy resources. The first challenge is that these systems need efficient decentralized decision-making approaches for most of their functionalities. The second challenge is the cybersecurity issues where frequent reliable data exchanges among distributed agents are critical and there exist real-world cyber threats. Distributed state estimation (DSE) is a key function for future power systems that is necessary to maintain the system's operating conditions within secure boundaries. However, the aforementioned challenges need to be addressed. To do so, this article first proposes a blockchain framework for secure DSE. Second, a consensus-based distributed information Kalman filter is proposed, which only needs to communicate the shared states information among the neighbors. The proposed method reduces the computational and communication costs, due to the need for consensus only on the predicted shared states. Third, a cooperative trust management strategy is developed through which the nodes can vote for each other's trust. Then, the proposed trust management mechanism is used for anomaly detection, which can accurately and timely detect the abnormal behavior of the nodes and isolate the healthy ones. Numerical simulations on the standard IEEE14-bus test system show the effectiveness of the proposed methods with a much lower mean square error of DSE in both normal and attacked time steps and an F1-score of 0.9945 for anomaly detection.
Modélisation eulérienne de l'habitat de ponte et de la dynamique des larves des anchois et sardines dans le système d'upwelling du Pérou

Le Systeme du Courant de Humboldt est l'ecosysteme le plus productif au monde en termes de biomasse de poisson. Ses especes principales, l'anchois Engraulis ringens et la sardine Sardinops sagax, ont connu d'importantes variations historiques de leurs stocks, une particularite dont l'origine est encore debattue. L'objectif de ce travail est d'implementer pour la premiere fois une approche eulerienne se focalisant sur les premiers stades de vie des anchois et sardines du Perou, et visant a etudier l'influence des parametres environnementaux et de la variabilite climatique sur la dynamique des populations et les variations de leurs stocks. Le modele est adapte du modele eulerien de dynamique spatiale des ecosystemes SEAPODYM, initialement developpe pour les grands poissons pelagiques a l'echelle du bassin oceanique, et utilise le modele couple physico-biogeochimique ROMS-PISCES en entree. Afin de contraindre les parametres du modele, nous avons developpe une approche par assimilation de donnees basee sur un jeu unique de donnees de densites d'oeufs et de larves, acquis par l'Institut de la Mer du Perou au cours des 40 dernieres annees. Le modele permet de tester differents mecanismes susceptibles de controler l'habitat de ponte et le recrutement larvaire : temperature optimale, abondance des proies, presence/absence de predateurs, et influence des courants sur la retention et la dispersion. Nous montrons que la combinaison de quelques concepts simples permet d'expliquer raisonnablement la repartition spatiale des oeufs et larves ainsi que la variabilite interannuelle, mais la description actuelle ne permet pas d'expliquer la saisonnalite observee dans les zones cotieres.
Magnetosheath Jets Over Solar Cycle 24: An Empirical Model

Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) spacecraft have been sampling the subsolar magnetosheath since the first dayside science phase in 2008, and we finally have observations over a solar cycle. However, we show that the solar wind coverage during these magnetosheath intervals is not always consistent with the solar wind conditions throughout the same year. This has implications for studying phenomena whose occurrence depends strongly on solar wind parameters. We demonstrate this with magnetosheath jets—flows of enhanced earthward dynamic pressure in the magnetosheath. Jets emerge from the bow shock, and some of them can go on and collide into the magnetopause. Their occurrence is highly linked to solar wind conditions, particularly the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field, as jets are mostly observed downstream of the quasi‐parallel shock. We study the yearly occurrence rates of jets recorded by THEMIS over solar cycle 24 (2008–2019) and find that they are biased due to differences in spacecraft orbits and uneven sampling of solar wind conditions during the different years. Thus, we instead use the THEMIS observations and their corresponding solar wind conditions to develop a model of how jet occurrence varies as a function of solar wind conditions. We then use OMNI data of the whole solar cycle to estimate the unbiased yearly jet occurrence rates. For comparison, we also estimate jet occurrence rates during solar cycle 23 (1996–2008). Our results suggest that there is no strong solar cycle dependency in jet formation.
Recent developments in nanomaterials for upgrading treatment of orthopedics diseases

Nanotechnology has changed science in the last three decades. Recent applications of nanotechnology in the disciplines of medicine and biology have enhanced medical diagnostics, manufacturing, and drug delivery. The latest studies have demonstrated this modern technology’s potential for developing novel methods of disease detection and treatment, particularly in orthopedics. According to recent developments in bone tissue engineering, implantable substances, diagnostics and treatment, and surface adhesives, nanomedicine has revolutionized orthopedics. Numerous nanomaterials with distinctive chemical, physical, and biological properties have been engineered to generate innovative medication delivery methods for the local, sustained, and targeted delivery of drugs with enhanced therapeutic efficacy and minimal or no toxicity, indicating a very promising strategy for effectively controlling illnesses. Extensive study has been carried out on the applications of nanotechnology, particularly in orthopedics. Nanotechnology can revolutionize orthopedics cure, diagnosis, and research. Drug delivery precision employing nanotechnology using gold and liposome nanoparticles has shown especially encouraging results. Moreover, the delivery of drugs and biologics for osteosarcoma is actively investigated. Different kind of biosensors and nanoparticles has been used in the diagnosis of bone disorders, for example, renal osteodystrophy, Paget’s disease, and osteoporosis. The major hurdles to the commercialization of nanotechnology-based composite are eventually examined, thus helping in eliminating the limits in connection to some pre-existing biomaterials for orthopedics, important variables like implant life, quality, cure cost, and pain and relief from pain. The potential for nanotechnology in orthopedics is tremendous, and most of it looks to remain unexplored, but not without challenges. This review aims to highlight the up tp date developments in nanotechnology for boosting the treatment modalities for orthopedic ailments. Moreover, we also highlighted unmet requirements and present barriers to the practical adoption of biomimetic nanotechnology-based orthopedic treatments.
Trophodynamic Ecology of Polydactylus octonemus (Atlantic thread fin) and Lutjanus synagris (Lane snapper) in Terminos lagoons inlets, Campeche sound: estuarine-shelf interactions

La comunidad de peces de las bocas de la Laguna de Terminos esta compuesta de al menos 125 especies. Dos de estas, estan consideradas como especies tipicas o dominantes y fueron elegidas para el presente estudio: Polydactylus octonemus (Raton o siete barbas) y Lutjanus synagris (Rubia o biajaiba). Ambas son especies componentes de la comunidad demerso-pelagica, Lutjanus synagris es estenohalina y Polydactylus octonemus es eurihalina. P. octonemus presenta un espectro trofico amplio con al menos 11 grupos, es considerada como un consumidor de segundo orden. L. synagris tiene un espectro trofico de 9 grupos y es considerada como un consumidor de tercer orden. El espectro trofico de ambos peces fue analizado utilizando los metodos de frecuencia, numero y peso humedo; ademas de que se aplicaron dos indices de importancia relativa IlR e IRI. Ademas se hizo un analisis de la relacion longitud-dieta y su variacion durante el ano y en cada una de las bocas de conexion de la Laguna de Terminos. El analisis trofico en los diferentes habitats trato de demostrar cual es el papel ecologico de cada una de las bocas de conexion durante el ano.
Centring perspectives of disabled children in music education research

ABSTRACT There is a need for music education research that uplifts and affirms disabled children by exploring their perceptions of participation in musical experiences in music classrooms. The purpose of this position paper is to a) define what it means to centre perspectives of disabled children, b) provide a rationale for centring perspectives of disabled children in music education research, c) describe and explore reasons why researchers often overlook the perspectives of disabled children, and d) provide information about best practices to centre the perspectives of disabled children in music education research. We highlight ideas for including disabled children in research from the fields of music education, disability studies, and music therapy. Recommendations include applications of participatory research, interviews with children, the Mosaic approach, and the In-The-Picture approach. By centring the perspectives of disabled children, researchers can learn a great deal and work to engage in anti-oppressive research practices.
Molecular characteristics, clinical significance, and immune landscape of extracellular matrix remodeling-associated genes in colorectal cancer

Background Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is one of the hallmark events in cancer and has been shown to be closely related to tumor immunity. Immunotherapy has evolved as an important tool to treat various cancers and improve patient prognosis. The positive response to immunotherapy relies on the unique interaction between cancer and the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, the relationship between ECM remodeling and clinical outcomes, immune cell infiltration, and immunotherapy in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unknown. Methods We systematically evaluated 69 ECM remodeling-associated genes (EAGs) and comprehensively identified interactions between ECM remodeling and prognosis and the immune microenvironment in CRC patients. The EAG_score was used to quantify the subtype of ECM remodeling in patients. We then assessed their value in predicting prognosis and responding to treatment in CRC. Results After elaborating the molecular characteristics of ECM remodeling-related genes in CRC patients, a model consisting of two ECM remodeling-related genes (MEIS2, SLC2A3) was developed for predicting the prognosis of CRC patients, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis verified its reliable predictive ability. Furthermore, we created a highly reliable nomogram to enhance the clinical feasibility of the EAG_score. Significantly differences in TME and immune function, such as macrophages and CD8+ T cells, were observed between high- and low-risk CRC patients. In addition, drug sensitivity is also strongly related to EAG_score. Conclusion Overall, we developed a prognostic model associated with ECM remodeling, provided meaningful clinical implications for immunotherapy, and facilitated individualized treatment for CRC patients. Further studies are needed to reveal the underlying mechanisms of ECM remodeling in CRC.
Q Pedagogy: Bringing Students’ Subjectivity into the Design of Instruction

Q pedagogy is a teaching approach that values the subjective viewpoints of students and incorporates them into the design of instruction. Q pedagogy is an instructional adaption of Q methodology, a research methodology first developed in the 1930s by Dr. William Stephenson to study people’s subjectivity. Q methodology uses a special data collection technique called a Q sort to capture a snapshot of a person’s subjectivity toward a given topic. The Q sort data of class participants are then factor analyzed to reveal groupings or clusters (i.e., factors) of students who share similar viewpoints. Next, the instructor designs a follow-up classroom activity, such as small- and large-group discussions, to help students understand and appreciate the different points of view held by their classmates and to support the goals of the lesson. A fictional design story is presented in this article to introduce Q pedagogy and explain how to implement it.