Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preferences for public engagement in decision-making regarding four COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions in the Netherlands: A survey study

Background Worldwide, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were implemented during the COVID-19 crisis, which heavily impacted the daily lives of citizens. This study considers public perspectives on whether and how public engagement (PE) can contribute to future decision-making about NPIs. Methods An online survey was conducted among a representative sample of the public in the Netherlands from 27 October to 9 November 2021. Perceptions and preferences about PE in decision-making on NPIs to control COVID-19 were collected. Preferences regarding four NPIs were studied: Nightly curfew (NC); Digital Covid Certificate (DCC); Closure of elementary schools and daycares (CED); and physical distancing (1.5M). Engagement was surveyed based on the five participation modes of the IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation, namely inform, consult, advice, collaborate and empower. Results Of the 4981 respondents, 25% expressed a desire to engage in decision-making, as they thought engagement could improve their understanding and the quality of NPIs, as well as increase their trust in the government. Especially for the NPIs DCC and NC, respondents found it valuable to engage and provide their perspective on trade-offs in values (e.g. opening up society versus division in society by vaccination status). Respondents agreed that the main responsibility in decision-making should stay with experts and policy-makers. 50% of respondents did not want to engage, as they felt no need to engage or considered themselves insufficiently knowledgeable. Inform was deemed the most preferred mode of engagement, and empower the least preferred mode of engagement. Conclusion We reveal large variations in public preferences regarding engagement in NPI decision-making. With 25% of respondents expressing an explicit desire to engage, and considering the benefit of PE in other areas of (public) health, opportunities for PE in NPI decision-making might have been overlooked during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results provide guidance into when and how to execute PE in future outbreaks.
Lean mass and associated factors in women with PCOS with different phenotypes

Although current evidence suggests increased risk of obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic alterations in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), especially of a hyperandrogenic phenotype, the impact of each one of these variables on muscle mass remains uncertain. In this case-control study, we evaluated clinical and hormonal characteristics related to lean body mass according to the different PCOS phenotypes. We performed clinical, metabolic, and hormonal assessments and evaluated body compartments by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 133 women of reproductive age. Creatinine served as an indirect marker of lean mass. Median age was 28 (range, 17–37) years. Women with phenotypes A and B (n = 59) had higher body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome prevalence than those with phenotype C (n = 23) and controls (n = 51) (p<0.005). Women with phenotypes A and B also had higher Ferriman-Gallwey score (p<0.001), insulin levels (p = 0.006), HOMA-IR (p = 0.008), testosterone (p = 0.008), free androgen index (FAI) (p<0.001), fat mass index (FMI) (p = 0.015), android-to-gynoid fat ratio (p = 0.036), and bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine (p = 0.027) and total femur (p = 0.013) than controls. Median appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) was higher in phenotypes A and B than in controls (7.01 [IQR, 6.33–8.02] vs. 6.69 [IQR, 5.94–7.09], p = 0.024), but it did not differ significantly from that in phenotype C (6.60 [IQR, 6.16–7.22], p = 0.222). Even after adjusting for BMI, ALMI correlated positively with creatinine in women with phenotypes A and B (rho = 0.319, p = 0.023) but not in those with phenotype C (p = 0.238) or controls (p = 0.097). In multivariate linear regression analyses, ALMI was positively associated with insulin, FAI, FMI, and total femur BMD. The present results suggest that fasting insulin, FAI, fat mass, and total femur BMD were positively associated with increased lean mass in women with PCOS phenotypes A and B.
A modified method to analyse cell proliferation using EdU labelling in large insect brains

The study of neurogenesis is critical to understanding of the evolution of nervous systems. Within invertebrates, this process has been extensively studied in Drosophila melanogaster, which is the predominant model thanks to the availability of advanced genetic tools. However, insect nervous systems are extremely diverse, and by studying a range of taxa we can gain additional information about how nervous systems and their development evolve. One example of the high diversity of insect nervous system diversity is provided by the mushroom bodies. Mushroom bodies have critical roles in learning and memory and vary dramatically across species in relative size and the type(s) of sensory information they process. Heliconiini butterflies provide a useful snapshot of this diversity within a closely related clade. Within Heliconiini, the genus Heliconius contains species where mushroom bodies are 3–4 times larger than other closely related genera, relative to the rest of the brain. This variation in size is largely explained by increases in the number of Kenyon cells, the intrinsic neurons which form the mushroom body. Hence, variation in mushroom body size is the product of changes in cell proliferation during Kenyon cell neurogenesis. Studying this variation requires adapting labelling techniques for use in less commonly studied organisms, as methods developed for common laboratory insects often do not work. Here, we present a modified protocol for EdU staining to examine neurogenesis in large-brained insects, using Heliconiini butterflies as our primary case, but also demonstrating applicability to cockroaches, another large-brained insect.
Steam stimulation heavy oil recovery at Cold Lake, Alberta

This work describes the application of steam stimulation techniques for economic recovery of extremely viscous, low temperature, sour bitumen at Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada. Production rates have been found to be related to reservoir parameters controlled by the lower Cretaceous depositional environmemt (sand continuity, grain size, fines content, and fluid distribution) and to the volumes of steam injected. With multiple cycles, recovery is expected to be 20%, but is dependent on completion practices, well spacing and pattern orientation, with regulatory approval, ESSO resources Canada Ltd. plans to develop a 25,000 cu m/d (160,000 bpd) raw bitumen production operation.
Sulfur isotope signatures for rapid colonization of an impact crater by thermophilic microbes

In the 23-km-diameter Haughton impact structure, Canadian High Arctic, in sulfate-rich bedrock, widespread hydrothermal sulfide mineralization occurred in breccias formed during the impact. The sulfides exhibit extreme sulfur isotopic fractionation relative to the original sulfate, requiring microbial sulfate reduction by thermophiles throughout the crater. This evidence of widespread microbial activity demonstrates that colonization could occur within the lifetime of a moderately sized, impact-induced hydrothermal system. The pyrite was subsequently oxidized to jarosite, which may also have been microbially mediated. The successful detection of evidence for microbial life suggests that it would be a valuable technique to deploy in sulfate-rich impact terrain on Mars.
Signature of cardiac alterations in early and late chronic infections with Trypanosoma cruzi in mice

Chagas disease by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infection is a leading cause of myocarditis worldwide. Chagas cardiomyopathy is presented with a wide variety of conduction abnormalities including arrhythmias, first- and second-degree atrioventricular blockade, left ventricular systolic dysfunction and some cases heart failure leading to the death. Currently, there are no effective treatments available against advanced Chagas disease. With the advance in the development of novel therapies, it is important to utilize an animal model that can effectively replicate the diverse stages of Chagas disease, including chronic asymptomatic and symptomatic infection, that are akin to those observed in humans. Therefore, to characterize the cardiac alterations during the evolution of the infection, we evaluated the progression of cardiomyopathy caused by T. cruzi H1 infection in both BALB/c and ICR mouse models by performing electrocardiogram (ECG) studies in unanesthetized mice every month until 210 days post-infection (dpi). In the late chronic phase of infection, we also performed echocardiogram (ECHO) studies to further assess cardiac function. In conclusion, we demonstrated that ICR mice were more susceptible to cardiac alterations compared to BALB/c mice and both mouse strains are suitable experimental models to study chronic T. cruzi infection and novel treatments.
Quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for the specific detection of the Chinese mystery snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis) in the UK

Cipangopaludina chinensis Gray 1833 is an East Asian freshwater snail and invasive species in many parts of the world (Global Invasive Species Database, 2022). Within the UK, it was first found at the Pevensey Levels, Sussex, and has since been reported at a second site at Southampton Common, Hampshire. Both sites are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for their wildlife importance. Although the impacts of this species within the UK have not yet been investigated several exotic parasites of the snail have been reported and research suggests that its presence can negatively impact native snail species. This is especially important at the Pevensey Levels due to the presence of the rare freshwater mollusc Anisus vorticulus (Little Whirlpool Rams’s-horn snail). Here, we have developed a qPCR-based eDNA assay for the detection of C. chinensis and compared water samples tested for eDNA with results from manual survey of the ditches at the Pevensey Levels. Our eDNA analysis exhibited an overall observed percentage agreement of 80% with a kappa coefficient of agreement between manual and eDNA surveys of 0.59 (95% CI 0.31 to 0.88). Some samples which were qPCR negative for C. chinensis were positive by manual survey, and vice versa revealing the potential for improved overall detection rates when using a combination of manual and eDNA methodologies. eDNA analysis can therefore augment manual survey techniques for C. chinensis as a relatively quick and inexpensive tool for collecting presence and distribution data that could be used to inform further manual surveys and control measures within the ditches.
The intensity of a resistance exercise session can be quantified by the work rate of exercise

Purpose Athletes regularly perform resistance training, yet it is unknown how best to monitor its intensity. This study compared different resistance exercise intensity metrics to determine their sensitivity to manipulating work rate (via altering inter-set rest and load). Methods Following baseline testing for 10- and 3-repetition maximum (RM; squat and bench press), fourteen trained participants completed four volume-matched protocols in a randomised order: 3x10 with 85% 10RM, 60 s rest (3x1060s); 3x10 with 85% 10RM, 180 s (3x10180s); 8x3 with 85% 3RM, 120 s (8x3120s); 8x3 with 85% 3RM, 300 s (8x3300s). Internal intensity was quantified via rate of oxygen consumption (V˙O2), heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). External intensity was assessed via previously developed “Training-Intensity” (TI) and “Intensity-Index” (II) metrics, and from exercise work rate (expressed as kg∙min-1 and joules∙min-1). Results Internal intensity and work-rate metrics were highest for 3x1060s, followed by 3x10180s, 8x3120s and 8x3300s (p≤0.027). TI and II were higher for 8x3 than 3x10 protocols (p<0.001), but not different within these configurations. Internal intensity measures were more strongly correlated with work rate (r = 0.37–0.96) than TI and II (r = -0.42–0.33) metrics. Conclusions Work rate corroborated objective internal intensity metrics during resistance exercise, with the highest work rate session (3x1060s) also eliciting greater RPE scores than other protocols. In contrast, the TI and II did not agree with other intensity measures, likely because they do not consider rest periods. Practitioners can plan for the physiological and perceptual demands of resistance training by estimating work rate.
Thermokarst‐lake‐basin sediments, Tuktoyaktuk Coastlands, western arctic Canada

Three stages of deposition are distinguished in thermokarst-lake-basin sequences in ice-rich permafrost of the Tuktoyaktuk Coastlands, western arctic Canada: (1) widespread retrogressive thaw slumping around lake margins that rapidly transports upland sediments into thermokarst lakes, forming a distinctive basal unit of impure sand and/or diamicton; (2) a reduction or cessation of slumping-because of the pinching out of adjacent ground ice, slump stabilization or climatic cooling, that reduces the input of clastic sediment, permitting reworking of sediment around lake margins and suspension settling, principally in basin centres; (3) lakes drain and deposition may continue by gelifluction and accumulation of in situ peat or aeolian sand. Radiocarbon dating of detrital peat and wood from a progradational sequence (basal unit) defines a lateral younging trend in the direction of progradation. A progradation rate is calculated to be ∼ 4 cm yr−1, consistent with rapid deposition during stage (1) above. The nonuniform nature of the trend is attributed to episodic influxes of old organic material by slumping and reworking by waves and currents. In comparison with thermokarst-lake-basin sequences previously described in Alaska, Canada and Siberia, the middle unit of those in the Tuktoyaktuk Coastlands is similar, whereas the basal unit is generally thicker and, by contrast, often contains diamicton. These differences are attributed, respectively, to larger-scale resedimentation of upland sediments by retrogressive thaw slumping and debris-flow deposition in thermokarst lakes in the Tuktoyaktuk Coastlands. Compared with the sediments within supraglacial lakes in areas of moderate to high relief, the middle unit of thermokarst-lake-basin sequences in the Tuktoyaktuk Coastlands lacks clastic varves and the basal unit is much thinner and texturally less variable. These differences are attributed to higher relief and larger volumes of meltwater and glacigenic sediment in supraglacial lakes, which promote more suspension settling and resedimentation of glacigenic sediment than in thermokarst lakes in the Tuktoyaktuk Coastlands. It may be impossible to distinguish glacial and periglacial thermokarst-lake-basin sediments in permafrost areas of incomplete deglaciation. Not only is it often difficult to distinguish intrasedimental and buried glacier ice, but the depositional processes associated with thaw of both ice types are presumably the same and the host sediments very similar.
Fear, stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia related to COVID-19 among undergraduate nursing students: An international survey

The emergence of COVID-19 has produced unprecedented change in daily life activities leading to major impacts on psychological wellbeing and sleep among individuals worldwide. The study aimed to assess levels of fear, stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia among undergraduate nursing students in four countries two years after the start of the pandemic. An international, multi-centre cross-sectional electronic survey was conducted between December 2021 and April 2022. An on-line questionnaire was distributed via Qualtrics® and JISC® software. Instruments included the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Insomnia Severity Index, and a demographics and academic background questionnaire. The independent variables included demographic and academic backgrounds, while fear level, stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia were the dependent variables. A total of 918 undergraduate nursing students from KSA, Oman, UK, and UAE were participants in the study. Students presented with stress (91.6%), anxiety (69.1%), depression (59.8%), and insomnia (73.2%). The participants’ mean Fear of COVID-19 Scale score was 12.97 (SD = 6.14). There were significant positive relationships between fear of COVID-19, stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Undergraduate nursing students experienced moderate to severe levels of Fear of COVID-19, stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia two years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychological intervention and peer support are needed to reduce the long-term adverse outcomes of mental health problems and insomnia. It is important to introduce education about crisis management of infectious disease during pandemics into the nursing curriculum to increase student knowledge and improve their preparedness for such emergencies.
Molecular and clinicopathological implications of PRAME expression in adult glioma

Background PRAME (PReferentially expressed Antigen in MElanoma) is a biomarker studied in various human cancers. Little is known about the biological implications of PRAME in glioma. We aimed to perform a comprehensive analysis to explore PRAME gene expression and its biological and clinicopathological significance in gliomas. Methods and materials We accessed the human cancer atlas (TCGA) database to collect glioma patients (n = 668) with primary tumors and gene expression data. Single nucleotide variants, copy number variation, DNA methylation data, and other clinicopathological factors were also extracted for the analysis. Results Overall, 170, 484, and 14 tumors showed no expression, low expression (FPKM≤1), and overexpression (FPKM>1) of the PRAME gene, respectively. The principal component analysis and pathway analyses showed that PRAME-positive gliomas (n = 498), which consisted of tumors with PRAME low expression and overexpression, expressed different oncogenic profiles, possessing higher activity of Hedgehog, P3IK-AKT-mTOR, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways (p<0.001). DNA methylation analysis also illustrated that PRAME-positive tumors were distributed more densely within a grade 4-related cluster (p<0.001). PRAME positivity was an independent prognostic factor for poor outcomes in a multivariate cox analysis adjusted for clinical characteristics and genetic events. Kaplan-Meier analysis stratified by revised classification showed that PRAME positivity was solely associated with IDH-wildtype glioblastoma, grade 4. Finally, PRAME-overexpressing cases (n = 14) had the worst clinical outcome compared to the PRAME-negative and PRAME-low cohorts (adjusted p<0.001) in pairwise comparisons. Conclusion PRAME expression statuses may dictate different biological and clinicopathological profiles in IDH-wildtype glioblastoma.
RIP-ET: A riparian evapotranspiration package for MODFLOW-2005

1 1.0 Introduction . 1 2.0 Plant Functional Groups . 2 3.0 Plant Functional Subgroups . 3 4.0 Transpiration Flux Curves . 4 5.0 Transpiration Flux Curve Linear Interpolation . 5 6.0 Development of Plant Functional Group Curves . 7 7.0 Plant Functional Subgroup Coverage . 8 7.1 Polygonal Fraction of Active Habitat in a Cell . 10 7.2 Fraction of Plant Flux Area in a Polygon . 10 8.0 Fractional Coverage . 11 9.0 Land-Surface Elevation . 11 10.0 Transpiration Calculations . 12 11.0 Summary . 13 12.0 Input Instructions for RIP-ET . 14 13.0 Explanation of Variables Read by the RIP-ET Package . 15 14.0 Example . 16 14.1 Datasets for Example . 20 14.2 Riparian Dataset . 24 14.3 Results . 28 15.0 Code Documentation for the RIP-ET Package . 43 15.1 Changes to Calling Arguments in Main . 43 15.2 Five Calling Statements to RIP-ET from MAIN . 44 15.3 GWFRIPMODULE . 44 15.4 GWF2RIP3AR . 45 15.5 Listing for GWF2RIP3AR . 47 15.6 GWF2RIP3RP . 50 15.7 Listing for GWF2RIP3RP . 51 15.8 GWF2RIP3FM . 53 15.9 Listing for GWF2RIP3FM . 55 15.10 GWF2RIP3BD.58 15.10 Listing for GWF2RIP3BD . 60 15.11 HCOFtrm and RHStrm . 64 15.12 Listing for HCOFtrm and RHStrm Functions . 65 15.13 Listing for GWF2RIP3DA . 66 15.14 Listing for SGWF2RIP3PNT . 67 15.15 Listing for SGWF2RIP3PSV . 68 16.0 References Cited . 69 Appendix A. Plant Functional Subgroup Curves . 71
Clinical efficacy of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) in the treatment of II° lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis: A retrospective cohort study

Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) is not suitable for high-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis, whether MIS-TLIF can treat II° lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS) is still controversial. This retrospective cohort study compared the clinical efficacy of MIS-TLIF and open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (OPEN-TLIF) in the treatment of II° lumbar IS. From January 2017 to January 2023, 101 patients with II° lumbar IS were diagnosed in our hospital and underwent surgical treatment, of which 53 received MIS-TLIF surgery and 48 received OPEN-TLIF surgery. The operation time, blood loss and surgical complications were compared between the 2 groups. The pain, function, reduction rate and fusion rate of the patients were evaluated during follow-up. The amount of intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, and postoperative hospital stay in the MIS-TLIF group were significantly lower than those in the OPEN-TLIF group were (P < .01). In the MIS-TLIF group, there were 1 case of dural sac injury and 3 cases of lower limb paralysis. The complication rate of MIS-TLIF was lower than the OPEN-TLIF group (P = .032). In the visual analog scale score of low back pain, the MIS-TLIF group was lower than the OPEN-TLIF group after operation and at the last follow-up. There were no significant differences in postoperative leg pain score, slippage rate, and fusion rate between the 2 groups. Compared with OPEN-TLIF, MIS-TLIF has the advantages of better low back pain relief, less trauma, less bleeding and faster recovery, and is worthy of clinical promotion.
THU593 Unilaterally Selective Adrenal Vein Sampling For Identification Of Surgically Curable Primary Aldosteronism

BACKGROUND: Adrenal venous sampling is recommended for the identification of unilateral surgically curable primary aldosteronism but is often clinically useless, owing to failed bilateral adrenal vein cannulation. OBJECTIVES: To investigate if only unilaterally selective adrenal vein sampling studies can allow the identification of the responsible adrenal. METHODS: Among 1625 patients consecutively submitted to adrenal vein sampling in tertiary referral centers, we selected those with selective adrenal vein sampling results in at least one side; we used surgically cured unilateral primary aldosteronism as gold reference. The accuracy of different values of the relative aldosterone secretion index (RASI), which estimates the amount of aldosterone produced in each adrenal gland corrected for catheterization selectivity, was examined. RESULTS: We found prominent differences in RASI values distribution between patients with and without unilateral primary aldosteronism. The diagnostic accuracy of RASI values estimated by the area under receiver operating characteristic curves was 0.714 and 0.855, respectively, in the responsible and the contralateral side; RASI values >2.55 and ≤0.96 on the former and the latter side furnished the highest accuracy for detection of surgically cured unilateral primary aldosteronism. Moreover, in the patients without unilateral primary aldosteronism, only 20% and 16% had RASI values ≤0.96 and >2.55. CONCLUSIONS: With the strength of a large real-life data set and use of the gold reference entailing an unambiguous diagnosis of unilateral primary aldosteronism, these results indicate the feasibility of identifying unilateral primary aldosteronism using unilaterally selective adrenal vein sampling results. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials. gov; Unique identifier: NCT01234220.