Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological characteristics and prediction model construction of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Quzhou City, China, 2005–2022

Background Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is one of the 10 major infectious diseases that jeopardize human health and is distributed in more than 30 countries around the world. China is the country with the highest number of reported HFRS cases worldwide, accounting for 90% of global cases. The incidence level of HFRS in Quzhou is at the forefront of Zhejiang Province, and there is no specific treatment for it yet. Therefore, it is crucial to grasp the epidemiological characteristics of HFRS in Quzhou and establish a prediction model for HFRS to lay the foundation for early warning of HFRS. Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the epidemic characteristics of HFRS, the incidence map was drawn by ArcGIS software, the Seasonal AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) and Prophet model were established by R software. Then, root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) were used to evaluate the fitting and prediction performances of the model. Results A total of 843 HFRS cases were reported in Quzhou City from 2005 to 2022, with the highest annual incidence rate in 2007 (3.93/100,000) and the lowest in 2022 (1.05/100,000) (P trend<0.001). The incidence is distributed in a seasonal double-peak distribution, with the first peak from October to January and the second peak from May to July. The incidence rate in males (2.87/100,000) was significantly higher than in females (1.32/100,000). Farmers had the highest number of cases, accounting for 79.95% of the total number of cases. The incidence is high in the northwest of Quzhou City, with cases concentrated on cultivated land and artificial land. The RMSE and MAE values of the Prophet model are smaller than those of the SARIMA (1,0,1) (2,1,0)12 model. Conclusion From 2005 to 2022, the incidence of HFRS in Quzhou City showed an overall downward trend, but the epidemic in high-incidence areas was still serious. In the future, the dynamics of HFRS outbreaks and host animal surveillance should be continuously strengthened in combination with the Prophet model. During the peak season, HFRS vaccination and health education are promoted with farmers as the key groups.
Ecological niches and assembly dynamics of diverse microbial consortia in the gastrointestine of goat kids

Abstract Goats are globally invaluable ruminants that balance food security and environmental impacts, and their commensal microbiome residing in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is associated with animal health and productivity. However, the reference genomes and functional repertoires of GIT microbes in goat kids have not been fully elucidated. Herein, we performed a comprehensive landscape survey of the GIT microbiome of goat kids using metagenomic sequencing and binning, spanning a dense sampling regime covering three gastrointestinal compartments spatially and five developmental ages temporally. We recovered 1002 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (termed the goat kid GIT microbial catalog [GKGMC]), 618 of which were novel. They encode more than 2.3 million nonredundant proteins, and represent a variety of carbohydrate-degrading enzymes and metabolic gene clusters. The GKGMC-enriched microbial taxa, particularly Sodaliphilus, expanded the microbial tree of life in goat kids. Using this GKGMC, we first deciphered the prevalence of fiber-degrading bacteria for carbohydrate decomposition in the rumen and colon, while the ileal microbiota specialized in the uptake and conversion of simple sugars. Moreover, GIT microorganisms were rapidly assembled after birth, and their carbohydrate metabolic adaptation occurred in three phases of progression. Finally, phytobiotics modified the metabolic cascades of the ileal microbiome, underpinned by the enrichment of Sharpea azabuensis and Olsenella spp. implicated in lactate formation and utilization. This GKGMC reference provides novel insights into the early-life microbial developmental dynamics in distinct compartments, and offers expanded resources for GIT microbiota-related research in goat kids.
Development of the Barr & Stroud ZD Range of Topographical Stereoscopes for Mapping Applications

This paper presents an account of the development of the range of stereoscopes produced by Barr & Stroud (Glasgow, UK) during the period between the two World Wars of the 20th century. These instruments were critical to the adoption of simple graphical procedures (such as the Arundel method) for the rapid production of huge numbers of military topographic maps from aerial photography during the Second World War, since they allowed elevation and contour data to be incorporated into these maps without the need for complex and expensive photogrammetric instrumentation. The pivotal roles played in this development by Professor Barr and the young Lieutenant Hotine are highlighted.
Differences in primary metabolism related to quality of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruit under open field and protected soilless culture growing conditions

Introduction The raspberry (Rubus idaeus) fruit is characterized by good taste and high acceptability by consumers. Thus, the impact on the quality attributes and metabolites related to raspberry taste should be evaluated in crop alternatives such as the protected soilless culture. This study aimed to evaluate the metabolic changes during fruit development and postharvest of raspberry grown in open field and protected soilless culture and their relationship with quality parameters and sensory perception. Methods In this study, the quality parameters and polar metabolites -sugar and amino acids- content were evaluated during raspberry ripening. In addition, ripe fruit was stored at 1 °C for five days, followed by one day of shelf life at 20 °C. Results The physiological and quality parameters showed typical changes during ripening in both growing conditions: a constant production of CO2, a drastic loss of firmness, an increase in weight and soluble solids content, loss of acidity, and a turning to red color from the green to fully ripe fruit stages in both growing conditions. Fruit from the protected soilless culture had significantly higher weight but a lower soluble solids content. The metabolic analysis showed differences in primary metabolites content during ripening and storage at 1 °C between both growing conditions. The raspberries grown in the open field showed higher contents of sugars such as D-glucose and D-fructose. On the contrary, the fruit from the protected soilless culture showed higher contents of some amino acids such as L-alanine, L-serine and L-valine, among others. The sensorial panel showed significant differences in the perception of the sweetness, acidity, color and firmness of ripe fruit from both growing conditions. Discussion The present study provides interesting and useful results with direct commercial application for this alternative growing system, mainly in areas where soil and water scarcity are a reality.
Human responsibilities of investigative journalists in the digital age

The rapid development of information and communication technology has resulted in the disappearance of many professions globally, particularly as machines have nearly supplanted humans across various job sectors, including journalism and media. Investigative journalism (IJ) stands as a significant domain impacted by the age of digitization, marked by the surge in open information sources, remote communication technologies, data leaks, and the emergence of programs and applications capable of processing information faster, more accurately, and at a lower cost than human labor. Consequently, this has led to successive waves of employee dismissals in information production sectors, causing journalists and information workers to grapple with anxiety concerning the stability and security of their professional future. This study aimed to investigate the responsibilities and tasks that human journalists can still effectively fulfill within the realm of IJ amidst the advancements in information and communication technology. Through a qualitative approach, in-depth email interviews were conducted with nine journalists specializing in IJ, employing thematic coding analysis. The findings revealed five areas in which human journalists can outperform machines in conducting IJ, including decision-making, storytelling, report planning, information and data analysis, and investigation direction. Moreover, the study proposed five essential measures to safeguard the human role in investigative reporting. These measures encompassed journalist training initiatives, a focus on younger cohorts, the implementation of paid experimental work, the establishment of dedicated pathways for investigative work within press institutions, and the amplification of competitions and awards centered on IJ.
Effects of Self-Myofascial Release on Athletes’ Physical Performance: A Systematic Review

Therapists and strength and conditioning specialists use self-myofascial release (SMR) as an intervention tool through foam rollers or massage rollers for soft tissue massage, with the purpose of improving mobility in the muscular fascia. Moreover, the use of SMR by professional and amateur athletes during warm-ups, cool downs, and workouts can have significant effects on their physical performance attributes, such as range of motion (ROM) and strength. The purpose of this study was to analyse the literature pertaining to these types of interventions and their effects found in different physical performance attributes for athletes. A systematic search was carried out using the following databases: PUBMED, ISI Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane, including articles up to September 2023. A total of 25 articles with 517 athletes were studied in depth. SMR seems to have acute positive effects on flexibility and range of motion, without affecting muscle performance during maximal strength and power actions, but favouring recovery perception and decreasing delayed-onset muscle soreness. Some positive effects on agility and very short-range high-speed actions were identified, as well. In conclusion, although there is little evidence of its method of application due to the heterogeneity in that regard, according to our findings, SMR could be used as an intervention to improve athletes’ perceptual recovery parameters, in addition to flexibility and range of motion, without negatively affecting muscle performance.
The Association of Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation-Induced Gene Expression with Genetic Risk for Psychosis

Genomic studies focusing on the contribution of common and rare genetic variants of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder support the view that substantial risk is conferred through molecular pathways involved in synaptic plasticity in the neurons of cortical and subcortical brain regions, including the hippocampus. Synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) is central to associative learning and memory and depends on a pattern of gene expression in response to neuronal stimulation. Genes related to the induction of LTP have been associated with psychiatric genetic risk, but the specific cell types and timepoints responsible for the association are unknown. Using published genomic and transcriptomic datasets, we studied the relationship between temporally defined gene expression in hippocampal pyramidal neurons following LTP and enrichment for common genetic risk for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and for copy number variants (CNVs) and de novo coding variants associated with schizophrenia. We observed that upregulated genes in hippocampal pyramidal neurons at 60 and 120 min following LTP induction were enriched for common variant association with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder subtype I. At 60 min, LTP-induced genes were enriched in duplications from patients with schizophrenia, but this association was not specific to pyramidal neurons, perhaps reflecting the combined effects of CNVs in excitatory and inhibitory neuron subtypes. Gene expression following LTP was not related to enrichment for de novo coding variants from schizophrenia cases. Our findings refine our understanding of the role LTP-related gene sets play in conferring risk to conditions causing psychosis and provide a focus for future studies looking to dissect the molecular mechanisms associated with this risk.
Partitioning Evapotranspiration into Soil Evaporation and Canopy Transpiration via a Two-Source Variational Data Assimilation System

AbstractThe primary objective of this study is to assess the accuracy of the two-source variational data assimilation (TVDA) system for partitioning evapotranspiration (ET) into soil evaporation (ETS) and canopy transpiration (ETC). Its secondary aim is to compare performance of the TVDA system with the commonly used two-source surface energy balance (TSEB) method. A combination of eddy-covariance-based ET observations and stable-isotope-based measurements of the ratio of evaporation and transpiration to total evapotranspiration (ETS/ET and ETC/ET) over an irrigated cropland site (the so-called Daman site) in the middle reach of the Heihe River basin (northwestern China) was used to investigate these objectives. The results indicate that the TVDA method predicts ETS and ETC more accurately than TSEB. Root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) of midday (1300–1500 LT) averaged soil and canopy latent heat flux (LES and LEC) estimates from TVDA are 23.1 and 133.0 W m−2, respectively. Corresponding RMSE values from TSEB.
Pulmonary Function Tests Post-Stroke. Correlation between Lung Function, Severity of Stroke, and Improvement after Respiratory Muscle Training

Stroke is a significant cause of mortality and chronic morbidity caused by cardiovascular disease. Respiratory muscles can be affected in stroke survivors, leading to stroke complications, such as respiratory infections. Respiratory function can be assessed using pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Data regarding PFTs in stroke survivors are limited. We reviewed the correlation between PFTs and stroke severity or degree of disability. Furthermore, we reviewed the PFT change in stroke patients undergoing a respiratory muscle training program. We searched PubMed until September 2023 using inclusion and exclusion criteria in order to identify studies reporting PFTs post-stroke and their change after a respiratory muscle training program. Outcomes included lung function parameters (FEV1, FVC, PEF, MIP and MEP) were measured in acute or chronic stroke survivors. We identified 22 studies of stroke patients, who had undergone PFTs and 24 randomised controlled trials in stroke patients having PFTs after respiratory muscle training. The number of patients included was limited and studies were characterised by great heterogeneity regarding the studied population and the applied intervention. In general, PFTs were significantly reduced compared to healthy controls and predicted normal values and associated with stroke severity. Furthermore, we found that respiratory muscle training was associated with significant improvement in various PFT parameters and functional stroke parameters. PFTs are associated with stroke severity and are improved after respiratory muscle training.
Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Pre-Pregnancy Hypertension with Subsequent Incident Venous Thromboembolic Events

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and pre-pregnancy hypertension contribute to maternal morbidity and mortality. We examined the association of HDP and pre-pregnancy hypertension with subsequent venous thromboembolic (VTE) events. The retrospective cohort study included 444,859 women with ≥1 live, singleton birth in South Carolina (2004–2016). Hospital and emergency department visit and death certificate data defined incident VTE, HDP, and pre-pregnancy hypertension. Birth certificate data also defined the exposures. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards methods modeled VTE events risk. Of the cohort, 2.6% of women had pre-pregnancy hypertension, 5.8% had HDP, 2.8% had both pre-pregnancy hypertension and HDP (both conditions), and 88.8% had neither condition. The risk of incident VTE events within one year of delivery was higher in women with HDP (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15–2.29) and both conditions (HR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.60–3.35) compared to those with neither condition as was the risk within five years for women with HDP (HR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.13–1.60) and for women with both conditions (HR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.50–2.20). One- and five-year risks did not differ in women with pre-pregnancy hypertension compared to women with neither condition. Compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW) women with neither condition, the incident VTE event risk was elevated within five years of delivery for NHW (HR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.02–1.63; HR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.16–2.17) and non-Hispanic Black (NHB; HR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.16–2.96; HR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.62–2.66) women with HDP and with both conditions, respectively, and for NHB women with pre-pregnancy hypertension (HR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.09–2.07). VTE event risk was highest in women with HDP, and the event rates were higher in NHB women than in NHW women in the same exposure group.
Navigating the Legal and Ethical Terrain of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Patient Safety in Nigeria

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) significantly impacts the understanding of medical errors, minimizes their occurrence, and provides contextual solutions for patient safety in Nigeria.Given the country's expanding population and constrained healthcare resources, the potential significance of AI in enhancing patient safety in Nigeria cannot be overstated. There is a rapid trend to integrate AI into Nigeria's healthcare system, however, this raises concerns about algorithm bias and privacy. This study explores the ethical and legal implications of deploying AI for patient safety in Nigeria and assesses how the existing Nigerian legal frameworks address these concerns. This research shows that although bias and discrimination are generally prohibited by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other legal instruments, algorithmic bias which arises from the use of AI is not catered for by these laws. In addition, despite current privacy and confidentiality safeguards, AI in healthcare presents unique and novel challenges that the legislation does not yet address. Therefore, developing a new legal and governance structure to address both present and prospective challenges of AI in the health sector is extremely useful.
Estimating dementia risk in an African American population using the DCTclock

The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD) is increasing. African Americans are twice as likely to develop dementia than other ethnic populations. Traditional cognitive screening solutions lack the sensitivity to independently identify individuals at risk for cognitive decline. The DCTclock is a 3-min AI-enabled adaptation of the well-established clock drawing test. The DCTclock can estimate dementia risk for both general cognitive impairment and the presence of AD pathology. Here we performed a retrospective analysis to assess the performance of the DCTclock to estimate future conversion to ADRD in African American participants from the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Minority Aging Research Study (MARS) and African American Clinical Core (AACORE). We assessed baseline DCTclock scores in 646 participants (baseline median age = 78.0 ± 6.4, median years of education = 14.0 ± 3.2, 78% female) and found significantly lower baseline DCTclock scores in those who received a dementia diagnosis within 3 years. We also found that 16.4% of participants with a baseline DCTclock score less than 60 were significantly more likely to develop dementia in 5 years vs. those with the highest DCTclock scores (75–100). This research demonstrates the DCTclock’s ability to estimate the 5-year risk of developing dementia in an African American population. Early detection of elevated dementia risk using the DCTclock could provide patients, caregivers, and clinicians opportunities to plan and intervene early to improve cognitive health trajectories. Early detection of dementia risk can also enhance participant selection in clinical trials while reducing screening costs.
The Role of Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer in the Setting of Hip Prosthesis

Simple Summary As proton therapy evolves and becomes more accessible, it is important to explore its potential value for all patient cases to enable more informed treatment individualization. Currently, external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer patients with hip prosthesis is limited to photons because traditional proton therapy beams interfere with the implanted hardware. The goal of this study was to investigate the dosimetric feasibility and robustness of novel proton therapy techniques, i.e., proton arc therapy and anterior beam directions for prostate cancer patients with unilateral hip prosthesis. It was demonstrated that proton therapy for prostate cancer in the setting of hip prosthesis is feasible and could potentially reduce the dose to some critical organs and hence reduce toxicities. Abstract Purpose: Given that the current standard of proton therapy (PT) for prostate cancer is through bilateral beams, this modality is typically avoided when it comes to treatment of patients with hip prosthesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether novel PT methods, i.e., anterior proton beams and proton arc therapy (PArc), could be feasible options to treat this patient subpopulation. We evaluate PT methods in the context of dosimetry and robustness and compare with standard of practice volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) to explore any potential benefits. Methods: Two PT and one VMAT treatment plans were retrospectively created for 10 patients who participated in a clinical trial with a weekly repeat CT (rCT) imaging component. All plans were robustly optimized and featured: (1) combination anterior oblique and lateral proton beams (AoL), (2) PArc, and (3) VMAT. All patients had hydrogel spacers in place, which enabled safe application of anterior proton beams. The planned dose was 70 Gy (RBE) to the entire prostate gland and 50 Gy (RBE) to the proximal seminal vesicles in 28 fractions. Along with plan dose–volume metrics, robustness to setup and interfractional variations were evaluated using the weekly rCT images. The linear energy transfer (LET)-weighted dose was evaluated for PArc plans to ensure urethra sparing given the typical high-LET region at the end of range. Results: Both PT methods were dosimetrically feasible and provided reduction of some key OAR metrics compared to VMAT except for penile bulb, while providing equally good target coverage. Significant differences in median rectum V35 (22–25%), penile bulb Dmean (5 Gy), rectum V61 (2%), right femoral head Dmean (5 Gy), and bladder V39 (4%) were found between PT and VMAT. All plans were equally robust to variations. LET-weighted dose in urethra was equivalent to the physical dose for PArc plans and hence no added urethral toxicity was expected. Conclusions: PT for treatment of prostate cancer patients with hip prosthesis is feasible and equivalent or potentially superior to VMAT in quality in some cases. The choice of radiotherapy regimen can be personalized based on patient characteristics to achieve the best treatment outcome.