Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal Analysis of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program Performance

Objectives: Early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) is a newborn hearing screening system created to detect infants with hearing loss (HL) and intervene to reduce language and communication impairment. Early hearing detection (EHD) consists of three sequential stages: identification, screening, and diagnostic testing. This study longitudinally reviews each stage of EHD in each state and proposes a framework to improve utilization of EHD data. Design: A retrospective public database review was conducted, accessing publicly available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Summary descriptive statistics were utilized to generate a descriptive study of EHDI programs in each U.S. state from 2007 to 2016. Results: Data over 10 years from 50 states as well as Washington, DC were included in this analysis, creating up to 510 data points per analysis. Hundred percent (85 to 105) (median [min to max]) of newborns were identified by and entered EHDI programs. Ninety-eight percent (51 to 100) of identified infants completed screening. Of the infants who screened positive for HL, the proportion that received diagnostic testing was 55% (1 to 100). The overall proportion of infants who failed to complete EHD was 3% (1 to 51). Of the infants who fail to complete EHD 70% (0 to 100) are from missed screenings, 24% (0 to 95) are from missed diagnostic testing, and 0% (0 to 93) are from missed identification. Although there are more infants missed at screening, it was estimated, with limitations, that there is an order of magnitude more infants with HL among those who did not complete diagnostic testing compared with those who did not complete screening. Conclusions: Analysis demonstrates high completion rates at both identification and screening stages, whereas the diagnostic testing stage demonstrates low and highly variable completion rates. The low completion rates at diagnostic testing create a bottleneck in the EHD process and the large variability impedes the comparison of HL outcomes across states. Analysis also demonstrates that among all stages of EHD, whereas the largest number of infants are missed at screening, the largest number of children with HL are likely missed at diagnostic testing. Therefore, a focus by individual EHDI programs on addressing causes of low diagnostic testing completion rates would yield the greatest increase in the identification of children with HL. Potential causes of low diagnostic testing completion rates are further discussed. Finally, a new vocabulary framework is proposed to facilitate further study of EHD outcomes.
Steady shear rheology of a viscous emulsion in the presence of finite inertia at moderate volume fractions: sign reversal of normal stress differences

The shear rheology of an emulsion of viscous drops in the presence of finite inertia is investigated using direct numerical simulation. In the absence of inertia, emulsions display a non-Newtonian rheology with positive first and negative second normal stress differences. However, recently it was discovered that a small amount of drop-level inertia alters their signs – the first normal stress difference becomes negative and the second one becomes positive, each in a small range of capillary numbers (Li & Sarkar, J. Rheol., vol. 49, 2005, pp. 1377–1394). Sign reversal was shown numerically and analytically, but only in the limit of a dilute emulsion where drop–drop interactions were neglected. Here, we compute the rheology of a density- and viscosity-matched emulsion, accounting for the interactions in the volume fraction range of 5 %–27 % and Reynolds number range of 0.1–10. The computed rheological properties (effective shear viscosity and first and second normal stress differences) in the Stokes limit match well with previous theoretical (Choi–Schowalter in the dilute limit) and simulated results (for concentrated systems) using the boundary element method. The two distinct components of the rheology arising from the interfacial stresses at the drop surface and the perturbative Reynolds stresses are investigated as functions of the drop Reynolds number, capillary number and volume fraction. The sign change is caused by the increasing drop inclination in the presence of inertia, which in turn directly affects the interfacial stresses. Increase of the volume fraction or capillary number increases the critical Reynolds number for sign reversals due to enhanced alignment of the drops with the flow directions. The effect of increasing the volume fraction on the rheology is explained by relating it to interactions and specifically to the contact pair-distribution function computed from the simulation. The excess stresses are seen to show an approximately linear behaviour with the Reynolds number in the range of 0.1–5, while with the capillary number and volume fraction, the variation is weakly quadratic.
Caregiver Thrive, Learn, & Connect: Testing the Efficacy of an Online Psychoeducational Program for Family Caregivers

ABSTRACT Objectives Research reports that providing care to a relative or friend with a chronic health condition or significant neurocognitive disorders, such as dementia is a demanding job. Caregiving often leads to higher risk for adverse mental health outcomes. In this study, we examine the short-term efficacy of the CaregiverTLC online psychoeducational program to caregivers of adults with chronic health or significant memory troubles. Method Using pre-post data from the CaregiverTLC randomized controlled trial (n = 81) we examined differences between the intervention and control conditions on caregivers’ psychosocial outcomes for depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, burden, anxiety, and caregiver gains. Results Data analyses indicated significant decrease in self-reported depressive symptoms, burden, anxiety, and significant increases in self-efficacy and caregiver gains for caregivers in the active intervention compared to those in the control condition. Conclusions These results suggest that regardless of whether caregivers care for a person with a chronic illness or significant neurocognitive disorder, they can benefit from participation in this online psychoeducational program. Clinical Implications The CaregiverTLC program may be an effective method to teach skills to reduce depression, burden, and anxiety, and improve self-efficacy and personal gains among caregivers of older adults with chronic illnesses.
Effective GH Replacement With Somapacitan in Children With GHD: REAL4 2-year Results and After Switch From Daily GH

Abstract Context Somapacitan is a long-acting GH derivative for treatment of GH deficiency (GHD). Objective Evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of somapacitan in children with GHD after 2 years of treatment and after the switch from daily GH. Design A randomized, multinational, open-labelled, controlled parallel group phase 3 trial, comprising a 52-week main phase and 3-year safety extension (NCT03811535). Setting Eighty-five sites across 20 countries. Patients A total of 200 treatment-naïve prepubertal patients were randomized and exposed; 194 completed the 2-year period. Interventions Patients were randomized 2:1 to somapacitan (0.16 mg/kg/wk) or daily GH (0.034 mg/kg/d) during the first year, after which all patients received somapacitan 0.16 mg/kg/wk. Main outcome measures Height velocity (HV; cm/year) at week 104. Additional assessments included HV SD score (SDS), height SDS, IGF-I SDS, and observer-reported outcomes. Results HV was sustained in both groups between 52 and 104 weeks. At week 104, mean (SD) for HV between weeks 52 and 104 was 8.4 (1.5) cm/year after continuous somapacitan treatment and 8.7 (1.8) cm/year after 1 year of somapacitan treatment following switch from daily GH. Secondary height-related endpoints also supported sustained growth. Mean IGF-I SDS during year 2 was similar between groups and within normal range (−2 to +2). Somapacitan was well tolerated, with no safety or tolerability issues identified. GH patient preference questionnaire results show that most patients and their caregivers (90%) who switched treatment at year 2 preferred once-weekly somapacitan over daily GH treatment. Conclusions Somapacitan in children with GHD showed sustained efficacy and tolerability for 2 years, and after switching from daily GH. Patients/caregivers switching from daily GH expressed a preference for somapacitan. Clinical Trial Registration NCT03811535
Semi-analytic model of galaxy formation with radiative feedback during the Epoch of Reionisation

Several hundred million years after the Big Bang, the Epoch of Reionisation(EoR) started as the photons from the first objects ionised neutral baryons in the Universe. The observations such as the Gunn-Peterson troughs in quasar absorption spectra and the linear polarisation of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) impose strong constraints on reionisation models of the EoR. Recent data provide the rest-frame ultraviolet luminosity of galaxies up to redshift 10. However, the observation of star formations in low mass galaxies is still not practicable. Their star formations are expected to be suppressed by the increase of ionised baryons and greatly affect the reionisation models. We develop a flexible pipeline which utilises the Munich Semi-Analytic Model of galaxy formation, L-Galaxies, and a semi-numerical modelling of cosmic reionisation. This combination allows us to create a self-consistent reionisation simulation in computational models of galaxy formation. We use this pipeline on a high resolution cosmological Nbody simulation to produce the redshift evolution of the star forming galaxies during the EoR. Comparisons of the properties of mock galaxies and the growth of ionised hydrogen bubbles suggest that the reionisation history heavily depends on the suppression models used in the modeling of dwarf galaxy formation. During this research, some numerical flaws of merger tree generation algorithms were identified. We investigated the origins of these problems and present suggestions for solving them.
A systematic CRISPR screen reveals redundant and specific roles for Dscam1 isoform diversity in neuronal wiring

Drosophila melanogaster Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule 1 (Dscam1) encodes 19,008 diverse ectodomain isoforms via the alternative splicing of exon 4, 6, and 9 clusters. However, whether individual isoforms or exon clusters have specific significance is unclear. Here, using phenotype–diversity correlation analysis, we reveal the redundant and specific roles of Dscam1 diversity in neuronal wiring. A series of deletion mutations were performed from the endogenous locus harboring exon 4, 6, or 9 clusters, reducing to 396 to 18,612 potential ectodomain isoforms. Of the 3 types of neurons assessed, dendrite self/non-self discrimination required a minimum number of isoforms (approximately 2,000), independent of exon clusters or isoforms. In contrast, normal axon patterning in the mushroom body and mechanosensory neurons requires many more isoforms that tend to associate with specific exon clusters or isoforms. We conclude that the role of the Dscam1 diversity in dendrite self/non-self discrimination is nonspecifically mediated by its isoform diversity. In contrast, a separate role requires variable domain- or isoform-related functions and is essential for other neurodevelopmental contexts, such as axonal growth and branching. Our findings shed new light on a general principle for the role of Dscam1 diversity in neuronal wiring.
Authentication of recycled and virgin polyethylene terephthalate based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS using non-volatile organic compounds and chemometrics

Abstract Plastic packaging waste, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has increased significantly in recent decades, arousing a considerable and serious public concern regarding the environment, economy, and policy. Plastic recycling is a useful tool to mitigate this issue. Here, a feasible study was performed to investigate the potential of a novel method for identifying virgin and recycled PET. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was combined with various chemometrics, as a simple and reliable method that achieved a high discrimination rate for 105 batches of virgin PET (v-PET) and recycled PET (r-PET) based on 202 non-volatile organic compounds (NVOCs). Making use of orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) together with non-parametric tests, 26 marker compounds (i.e. 12 intentionally added substances (IAS) and 14 non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) as well as 31 marker compounds (i.e. 11 IAS and 20 NIAS) obtained from positive and combination of positive and negative ionization modes of UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, respectively, were successfully identified. Moreover, 100% accuracy was obtained using a decision tree (DT). Cross-discrimination based on misclassified samples using various chemometrics allowed the prediction accuracy to be improved and to identify a large sample set, thus greatly enhancing the application scope of this method. The possible origins of these detected compounds can be the plastic itself, as well as contamination from food, medicine, pesticides, industry-related substances, and degradation and polymerization products. As many of these compounds are toxic, especially those pesticide related, this indicates an urgent requirement for closed loop recycling. Overall, this analytical method provides a quick, accurate, and robust way to distinguish virgin from recycled PET and thus addresses the issue of potential virgin PET adulteration thereby detecting fraud in the area of PET recycling.
PearMODB: a multiomics database for pear (Pyrus) genomics, genetics and breeding study

Abstract Pear (Pyrus ssp.) belongs to Rosaceae and is an important fruit tree widely cultivated around the world. Currently, challenges to cope with the burgeoning sets of multiomics data are rapidly increasing. Here, we constructed the Pear Multiomics Database (PearMODB) by integrating genome, transcriptome, epigenome and population variation data, and aimed to provide a portal for accessing and analyzing pear multiomics data. A variety of online tools were built including gene search, BLAST, JBrowse, expression heatmap, synteny analysis and primer design. The information of DNA methylation sites and single-nucleotide polymorphisms can be retrieved through the custom JBrowse, providing an opportunity to explore the genetic polymorphisms linked to phenotype variation. Moreover, different gene families involving transcription factors, transcription regulators and disease resistance (nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat) were identified and compiled for quick search. In particular, biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) were identified in pear genomes, and specialized webpages were set up to show detailed information of BGCs, laying a foundation for studying metabolic diversity among different pear varieties. Overall, PearMODB provides an important platform for pear genomics, genetics and breeding studies. Database URL http://pearomics.njau. edu.cn
Cometary grains in the HD 32297 debris disk

HD 32297 is a young A-type star with a bright edge-on debris disk. The dust thermal emission spectral energy distribution and scattered starlight spectrum are simultaneously modeled in terms of porous cometary grains. Our modeling suggests that, similar to the solar system, the debris disk around HD 32297 may have an inner warm ring and an outer cold disk which are seen in other young debris disks as well.
Erasure and Health Equity Implications of Using Binary Male/Female Categories in Sexual Health Research and Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Sexually Transmitted Infection Surveillance: Recommendations for Transgender-Inclusive Data Collection and Reporting

I n this commentary, we discuss the health equity implications of collecting and reporting data stratified by binary male/female categories in sexual health and sexually transmitted infection (STI)/ human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) research and surveillance without meaningful inclusion of transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse identities. Numerous institutional bodies have recommended collecting and reporting data disaggregated by trans-inclusive cate- gories, including the National Institutes of Health and the National Academy of
Combining isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification with lateral flow assay for diagnosis of P. cynomolgi malaria infection

Background Plasmodium cynomolgi is a nonhuman primate parasite that causes malaria in humans and is transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito. Macaques, the natural hosts of P. cynomolgi, are widely distributed in Asia, especially in Southeast Asia. Anthropogenic land-use changes and wildlife habitat reduction due to local environmental changes, deforestation, urban expansion, and construction increased the frequency of human-macaque-vector interactions and facilitated the emergence of zoonotic malaria, causing an exponential increase in the infection rates in this area. Although microscopic tools are the gold standard for malaria diagnosis, they have very low sensitivity. Therefore, disease control and prevention require rapid, sensitive and accurate diagnostic tests. Methodology/Principle findings This study aims to develop a diagnostic method using a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) combined with a lateral flow (LF) strip method to specifically diagnose P. cynomolgi. Laboratory validation determined the method’s sensitivity and specificity compared to the nested PCR method. The lower limit of detection was 22.14 copies/μl of recombinant plasmid per reaction. The combination method represented 81.82% sensitivity and 94.74% specificity compared to the nested PCR. Conclusions/Significance The diagnostic testing developed in this study combines a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and a lateral flow (LF) strip, offering rapid high sensitivity and specificity. Further development of this technique could make it a promising method for detecting P. cynomolgi.
When ecological transitions are not so infrequent: independent colonizations of athalassohaline water bodies by Arcellidae (Arcellinida; Amoebozoa), with descriptions of four new species

Abstract The salinity and humidity barriers divide biodiversity and strongly influence the distribution of organisms. Crossing them opens the possibility for organisms to colonize new niches and diversify, but requires profound physiological adaptations and is supposed to happen rarely in evolutionary history. We tested the relative importance of each ecological barrier by building the phylogeny, based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene (COI) sequences, of a group of microorganisms common in freshwater and soils, the Arcellidae (Arcellinida; Amoebozoa). We explored the biodiversity of this family in the sediments of athalassohaline water bodies (i.e. of fluctuating salinity that have non-marine origins). We found three new aquatic species, which represent, to the best of our knowledge, the first reports of Arcellinida in these salt-impacted ecosystems, plus a fourth terrestrial one in bryophytes. Culturing experiments performed on Arcella euryhalina sp. nov. showed similar growth curves in pure freshwater and under 20 g/L salinity, and long-term survival at 50 g/L, displaying a halotolerant biology. Phylogenetic analyses showed that all three new athalassohaline species represent independent transition events through the salinity barrier by freshwater ancestor, in contrast to the terrestrial species, which are monophyletic and represent a unique ecological transition from freshwater to soil environments.
Energetic Ion Acceleration by Small-scale Solar Wind Flux Ropes

We consider different limits of our recently developed kinetic transport theory to investigate the potential of supersonic solar wind regions containing several small-scale flux ropes to explain the acceleration of suprathermal ions to power-law spectra as observations show. Particle acceleration is modeled in response to flux-rope activity involving contraction, merging (reconnection), and collisions in the limit where the particle gyoradius is smaller than the characteristic flux-rope scale length. The emphasis is mainly on the statistical variance in the electric fields induced by flux-rope dynamics rather than on the mean electric field induced by multiple flux ropes whose acceleration effects are discussed elsewhere. Our steady-state analytical solutions suggest that ion drift acceleration by flux ropes, irrespective of whether displaying incompressible or compressible behavior, can yield power laws asymptotically at higher energies whereas an exponential spectral rollover results asymptotically when field-aligned guiding center motion acceleration occur by reconnection electric fields from merging flux ropes. This implies that at sufficiently high particle energies, drift acceleration might dominate. We also expect compressive flux ropes to yield harder power-law spectra than incompressible flux ropes.
Effects of permethrin on ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in ornamental nurseries

Abstract Exotic ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), such as Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky), Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford), and Xylosandrus compactus (Eichoff) are serious pests in southeastern ornamental nurseries. Preventative pyrethroid trunk sprays effectively reduce boring damage. However, it is unclear how pyrethroids such as permethrin prevent attack. Thus, the objective was to determine how permethrin-treated bolts interact with invading ambrosia beetles. In 2022, a study with 2 independent trials was conducted in a nursery on red maple (Acer rubrum L.), bolts during March and April, respectively. The treatments were (i) nonbaited, nontreated bolt, (ii) ethanol baited bolt, (iii) nonbaited bolt + glue [painted on bolt], (iv) ethanol baited bolt + glue, (v) ethanol baited bolt + glue + permethrin, (vi) ethanol baited bolt + glue + permethrin + verbenone, and (vii) ethanol baited bolt + glue + verbenone. Ambrosia beetles trapped on glue, beetles which fell into the pail with soap solution under the bolts, and entry holes on bolts were quantified. Permethrin prevented beetle attacks but did not reduce the number of ambrosia beetles landing on the treated bolts. Verbenone reduced ambrosia beetles from landing on the bolts but did not prevent boring into bolts. The numbers of ambrosia beetles in soapy water were not significantly different among treatments. Ambrosia beetles are landing on permethrin-treated bolts but not boring into the bolts, implying that fresh permethrin residues may not be necessary for ambrosia beetle management.
I was sat there talking all night: a corpus-based study on factors governing intra-dialectal variation in British English 1

When it comes to intra-dialectal variation, the factors governing the choice between functionally equivalent variants still require an exhaustive analysis. The construction be sat/be stood with progressive meaning alternates with the standard form be sitting/be standing in a number of British English dialects. The present article investigates to what extent the Complexity Principle (see Rohdenburg 1996) and horror aequi (see Rohdenburg 2003) influence the choice between so-called pseudo-passive and progressive constructions. Empirical analyses of spoken data in the British National Corpus reveal that this variation phenomenon is common in dialects of Northern and Southwest England, and to a lesser degree in the Midlands and in London. Moreover, we find considerable differences in the distribution of these pseudo-passives regarding their relative frequency and the number of dialects that make use of them. Drawing on a total of 106 occurrences for the construction be stood vs be standing and 366 for be sat vs be sitting, the article evaluates how far the principles above can be considered as statistically significant determinants of intra-dialectal variation. To this end, it will be essential to test for other factors potentially influencing the choice of dialectal variants, such as age and gender.