Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Newer Surveillance Data Extends our Understanding of the Niche of Rickettsia montanensis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) Infection of the American Dog Tick (Acari: Ixodidae) in the United States

Background: Understanding the geographic distribution of Rickettsia montanensis infections in Dermacentor variabilis is important for tick-borne disease management in the United States, as both a tick-borne agent of interest and a potential confounder in surveillance of other rickettsial diseases. Two previous studies modeled niche suitability for D. variabilis with and without R. montanensis, from 2002 to 2012, indicating that the D. variabilis niche overestimates the infected niche. This study updates these, adding data since 2012. Methods: Newer surveillance and testing data were used to update Species Distribution Models (SDMs) of D. variabilis, and R. montanensis-infected D. variabilis, in the United States. Using random forest models, found to perform best in previous work, we updated the SDMs and compared them with prior results. Warren's I niche overlap metric was used to compare between predicted suitability for all ticks and “R. montanensis-positive niche” models across datasets. Results: Warren's I indicated <2% change in predicted niche, and there was no change in order of importance of environmental predictors, for D. variabilis or R. montanensis-positive niche. The updated D. variabilis niche model overpredicted suitability compared with the updated R. montanensis-positive niche in key peripheral parts of the range, but slightly underpredicted through the northern and midwestern parts of the range. This reinforces previous findings of a more constrained R. montanensis-positive niche than predicted by D. variabilis records alone. Conclusions: The consistency of predicted niche suitability for D. variabilis in the United States, with the addition of nearly a decade of new data, corroborates this is a species with generalist habitat requirements. Yet a slight shift in updated niche distribution, even of low suitability, included more southern areas, pointing to a need for continued and extended monitoring and surveillance. This further underscores the importance of revisiting vector and vector-borne disease distribution maps.
Artificial intelligence-based polyp size measurement in gastrointestinal endoscopy using the auxiliary waterjet as a reference

Background Measurement of colorectal polyp size during endoscopy is mainly performed visually. In this work, we propose a novel polyp size measurement system (Poseidon) based on artificial intelligence (AI) using the auxiliary waterjet as a measurement reference. Methods Visual estimation, biopsy forceps-based estimation, and Poseidon were compared using a computed tomography colonography-based silicone model with 28 polyps of defined sizes. Four experienced gastroenterologists estimated polyp sizes visually and with biopsy forceps. Furthermore, the gastroenterologists recorded images of each polyp with the waterjet in proximity for the application of Poseidon. Additionally, Poseidon's measurements of 29 colorectal polyps during routine clinical practice were compared with visual estimates. Results In the silicone model, visual estimation had the largest median percentage error of 25.1 % (95 %CI 19.1 %–30.4 %), followed by biopsy forceps-based estimation: median 20.0 % (95 %CI 14.4 %–25.6 %). Poseidon gave a significantly lower median percentage error of 7.4 % (95 %CI 5.0 %–9.4 %) compared with other methods. During routine colonoscopies, Poseidon presented a significantly lower median percentage error (7.7 %, 95 %CI 6.1 %–9.3 %) than visual estimation (22.1 %, 95 %CI 15.1 %–26.9 %). Conclusion In this work, we present a novel AI-based method for measuring colorectal polyp size with significantly higher accuracy than other common sizing methods.
Fuzzy logic controller for three‐level shunt active filter compensating harmonics and reactive power

In this paper, the use of a three‐level inverter as a shunt active power filter is carried out, taking advantage of the benefits of multi‐level inverter, namely, the reduction both in the overall switching losses and in total harmonic distortion. The main focus of this article is to investigate the potentialities of the inverter employed as shunt active power filter on the compensation of the reactive power and the mitigation of harmonics drawn from a nonlinear load and unbalanced sources. The most previously reported three‐level inverter‐based shunt active power filters have been controlled and monitored through conventional controllers, which require a complicated mathematical model. In order to overcome this problem, an extended intelligent controller is proposed for a three‐level shunt active power filter.
Research on auto-generating test paper based on genetic simulated annealing algorithms

Auto-generating test paper which satisfies multiple requirements is a combinatorial optimization problem.An effective algo-rithm is quite important for obtaining a satisfying test paper.So a hybrid algorithm based on standard genetic and simulated annealing al-gorithm is proposed.Test papers’ difficult coefficient is computed through the difficulty distribution function based on the expectation of average score.Group real code is adopted,one point crossover operator,and single point and random point mutation operator are used as genetic operators in the algorithm.After genetic operation simulated annealing operation is applied to each individuals for every generation.Finally,the detail algorithms’ steps and test results are given,and the algorithm is proved effective,feasible and practical.
MateJam: Multi-Material Teeth-Clutching Layer Jamming Actuation for Soft Haptic Glove

Most existing force feedback gloves use rigid exoskeleton with large structural dimensions, making it challenging to meet the future demand of virtual reality (VR) applications for large-scale end users. There is an urgent need to develop soft and ultrathin gloves similar to daily gloves. Different from the idea of regulating the friction between layers, here we propose a multi-material teeth-clutching layer jamming (MateJam) actuator, which can achieve distinctive bending stiffness in free and constrained space. The actuator consists of multi-material layers whose modulus span three orders of magnitude, including flexible substrate layer, limiting layer, rigid micro-teeth clutching structure layer, sliding film boundary layer, and sealed shell layer. In free space, the flexible substrate, and the rigid micro-teeth array structure form flexible hinges, ensuring low resistance. In constrained space, the engagement degree of the rigid micro-teeth array is controlled by vacuum pressure to continuously adjust the output resistance. Reliable switching between free and constrained space is ensured by introducing the sliding film boundary layer and the optimized design of the micro-teeth cross-sectional shape. The force output ratio between free and constrained space reaches over 20 times (0.45N vs. 11.95N). The thickness of the actuator is as low as 3.8mm (clutched state), and the weight of the glove is 44.03g. The ultrathin formfactor and the low cost fabrication process makes the MateJam glove a promising solution for VR applications in home entertainment and social interactions.
Autonomic control of heart and vessels in patients with very early stage of Parkinson disease

Objective. Non-motor symptoms including those reflecting autonomic cardiovascular dysregulation are often present in Parkinson disease. It is unclear whether it is possible to detect cardiovascular autonomic dysregulation in the very early stage of Parkinson disease potentially supporting the concept of the upstream propagation of nervous system damage through autonomic nerves. We hypothesized that cardiovascular dysregulation should precede the motor symptoms and at the time of their occurrence autonomic dysregulation should be clearly demonstrable. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the various aspects of autonomic cardiovascular control in the very early stage of Parkinson disease. Approach. We performed prospective case-control study on 19 patients with Parkinson disease (<6 months after motor signs occurrence) and 19 healthy control subjects. For each phase of study protocol (supine, head-up tilt, supine recovery), we calculated a wide array of cardiovascular control related parameters reflecting cardiac chronotropic, cardiac inotropic and vasomotor control and baroreflex mediated cardiovascular response. Main results. We observed the well-preserved heart rate and blood pressure control in patients with early stage of Parkinson disease. However, causal analysis of interactions between heart rate and blood pressure oscillations revealed subtle differences in baroreflex function and baroreflex mediated vasoconstriction response to orthostasis. Furthermore, a tendency towards a decreased contraction strength in Parkinson disease was observed. Significance. Considering only subtle cardiovascular control impairment in our study employing a wide array of sensitive methods at the time when motor signs were clearly expressed, we suggest that motor signs dominated in this stage of Parkinson disease.
Enhancement of Atmospheric Nucleation Precursors on Iodic Acid-Induced Nucleation: Predictive Model and Mechanism

Iodic acid (IA) has recently been recognized as a key driver for new particle formation (NPF) in marine atmospheres. However, the knowledge of which atmospheric vapors can enhance IA-induced NPF remains limited. The unique halogen bond (XB)-forming capacity of IA makes it difficult to evaluate the enhancing potential (EP) of target compounds on IA-induced NPF based on widely studied sulfuric acid systems. Herein, we employed a three-step procedure to evaluate the EP of potential atmospheric nucleation precursors on IA-induced NPF. First, we evaluated the EP of 63 precursors by simulating the formation free energies (ΔG) of the IA-containing dimer clusters. Among all dimer clusters, 44 contained XBs, demonstrating that XBs are frequently formed. Based on the calculated ΔG values, a quantitative structure–activity relationship model was developed for evaluating the EP of other precursors. Second, amines and O/S-atom-containing acids were found to have high EP, with diethylamine (DEA) yielding the highest potential to enhance IA-induced nucleation by combining both the calculated ΔG and atmospheric concentration of considered 63 precursors. Finally, by studying larger (IA)1–3(DEA)1–3 clusters, we found that the IA-DEA system with merely 0.1 ppt (2.5×106 cm–3) DEA yields comparable nucleation rates to that of the IA–iodous acid system.
Technology-based interprofessional collaboration in primary care for home rehabilitation of the older adults: A dutch exploratory study

Primary healthcare professionals face an increasing number of geriatrics patients, and patient care often involves different disciplines. eHealth offers opportunities to support interprofessional collaboration (IPC). This exploratory study aimed to gain insight in 1) IPC in community-based rehabilitation, 2) facilitators and barriers for technology-based IPC and 3) technological IPC solutions envisioned by the primary healthcare professionals An focus group with six primary healthcare professionals and a design thinking session with four participants were conducted. Data analysis was based upon an IPC model. Results indicate that facilitators and barriers for IPC can be clustered in three categories: human, organization and technology, and provide some requirements to develop suitable IPC technological solutions Primary healthcare professionals recognise the urgency of working collaboratively. Current barriers are understanding each other’s professional vocabulary, engaging the older adults, and using technology within the patient’s environment. Further research is needed to integrate IPC components in a technological solution
Mode I–III Decomposition of the J‐integral from DIC Displacement Data

This paper presents the implementation of the decomposition method on digital image correlation (DIC) obtained displacement fields to obtain J‐integral results (J) and respective stress intensity factors (SIFs). DIC is increasingly used with the J‐integral approach in experimental mechanics to obtain J estimates from complex fracture processes. In this approach, the decomposition method is applied to DIC displacement fields for the first time. Here, displacement fields are separated before stresses and strains are computed, so that subsequent computation of separate J or SIF components may follow the classical full‐field J‐integral approach. The sensitivity of the decomposition method to experimental errors is investigated using synthetically generated errors imposed on crack tip displacement fields (Williams' series), from which improvements to the procedure are proposed. The method is experimentally tested on PMMA Arcan specimens under mode I, II, and III, and mixed‐mode I–III loading. Test results were compared to fracture toughness values obtained from ASTM tests and literature with close agreement.
Seeing the forest or the tree depends on personality: Evidence from process communication model during global/local visual search task

In everyday life, we are continuously confronted with multiple levels of visual information processes (e.g., global information, the forest, and local information, the tree) and we must select information that has to be processed. In the present study, we investigated the relation between personality and the ability to process global and local visual information. Global precedence phenomenon was assessed by a standard global/local visual search task used in many visuo-spatial precedent studies, and the 77 participants were also presented with the standard Process Communication Model (PCM) questionnaire. Results suggest that the ability to process global and local properties of visual stimuli varied according to the Base type of participants. Even if four among six Base types (Thinker, Persister, Harmonizer and Promoter) presented a classical global visual precedence, the two other Base types (Rebel and Imaginer) presented only an effect of distractors and an effect of global advantage, respectively. Taken together, these results evidenced that each human being does not equally perceive the “forest” (global information) and the “tree” (local information). Even if objectively presented with similar visual stimuli, individual responses differ according to the Base, an inter-individual variability that could be taken into account during daily life situations.
CsRVE1 promotes seasonal greening of albino Camellia sinensis cv. Huangkui by activating chlorophyll biosynthesis.

Seasonal greening is a crucial survival strategy for albino tea cultivars, during which dysfunctional chloroplasts recover and chlorophyll biosynthesis increases in albino leaves. However, the regulatory mechanisms of seasonal greening in albino tea plants remain unclear. Here, we report that CsRVE1, a nuclear-located Myb-like transcription factor, can positively modulate the seasonal greening of albino Camellia sinensis cv. Huangkui leaves by activating the expression of genes involved in light harvesting and chlorophyll biosynthesis. The transcriptional expression of CsRVE1 increased during seasonal greening and was tightly correlated with increases in the expression of genes involved in light harvesting (CsLhcb) and chlorophyll biosynthesis (CsCHLH, CsHEMA1, CsCLH2, and CsCAO). In vivo and in vitro molecular analyses showed that CsRVE1 can directly bind to the promoters of CsLhcb, CsCHLH, and CsPORA, eventually leading to chlorophyll accumulation in tea leaves. Furthermore, transient suppression of CsRVE1 in tea leaves led to a decrease in target gene expression. In contrast, overexpression of CsRVE1 in Arabidopsis led to chlorophyll increases and activation of AtLhcb, AtPORA, AtCHLH, etc. These results identify CsRVE1 as an important promoter of seasonal greening that functions by regulating genes involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis in albino tea plants and shed new light on the regulatory mechanisms of leaf phenotypes in plants.
Association of Overweight, Obesity, and Recent Weight Loss With Colorectal Cancer Risk

Key Points Question How does weight loss before diagnosis, which is common among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), affect the association of overweight and obesity with risk of CRC? Findings In this case-control study, an inverse association was observed between overweight and CRC risk when body mass index (BMI) at the time of recruitment was considered. However, recent weight loss was associated with strongly increased CRC risk, and a clear positive association between BMI and CRC risk emerged when looking at BMI at earlier points of time, which was particularly pronounced for BMI 8 or more years ago. Meaning These findings suggest that prediagnostic weight loss bias can lead to a considerable underestimation of the association of BMI with CRC.
In vivo MRI is sensitive to remyelination in a nonhuman primate model of multiple sclerosis

Remyelination is crucial to recover from inflammatory demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS). Investigating remyelination in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is difficult in MS, where collecting serial short-interval scans is challenging. Using experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in common marmosets, a model of MS that recapitulates focal cerebral inflammatory demyelinating lesions, we investigated whether MRI is sensitive to, and can characterize, remyelination. In six animals followed with multisequence 7 T MRI, 31 focal lesions, predicted to be demyelinated or remyelinated based on signal intensity on proton density-weighted images, were subsequently assessed with histopathology. Remyelination occurred in four of six marmosets and 45% of lesions. Radiological-pathological comparison showed that MRI had high statistical sensitivity (100%) and specificity (90%) for detecting remyelination. This study demonstrates the prevalence of spontaneous remyelination in marmoset EAE and the ability of in vivo MRI to detect it, with implications for preclinical testing of pro-remyelinating agents.
Rehabilitation interventions for young adult cancer survivors: A scoping review

Objective To map existing research concerning rehabilitation interventions for young adult cancer survivors (YACS) that address at least one factor from the biopsychosocial health model. Design Scoping review. Data sources Searches were performed in EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Cochrane in January 2022 and updated in March 2023, and grey literature between February and April 2022. Methods The review followed Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology for scoping reviews. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies evaluating interventions for YACS of any cancer who had completed primary treatment and were between 18 and 39 years old at diagnosis were included. Two authors independently screened studies for eligibility, and standardised forms were used for data extraction. Descriptive statistics, narrative summaries and thematic analysis were used to analyse the data. Results The search revealed 5706 records, of which 70 were full-text screened. The 20 included studies represented a heterogeneous group of 444 young adults with different cancer types, mean age above 25, and an overrepresentation of females. Most studies were feasibility and pilot studies. The 20 studies consisted of 14 unique interventions focusing primarily on one dimension of the biopsychosocial health model like biological or psychological factors. In the 14 interventions, the most frequent intervention element was peer-to-peer support (n = 12). The interventions were often delivered online (n = 9), lasting 3–12 months (n = 8). A wide variety of theories, providers and outcome measures were used. Conclusion The results show that current research on multicomponent, biopsychosocial and age-specific rehabilitation for YACS remains at an early stage.
Lipoprotein(a) is associated with a larger systemic burden of arterial calcification

Abstract Aims Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a genetically determined risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, population-based evidence on the link between Lp(a) and subclinical arteriosclerosis is lacking. We assessed associations of Lp(a) concentrations with arteriosclerosis in multiple arteries. Methods and results From the population-based Rotterdam study, 2354 participants (mean age: 69.5 years, 52.3% women) underwent non-contrast computed tomography to assess arterial calcification as a hallmark of arteriosclerosis. We quantified the volume of coronary artery calcification (CAC), aortic arch calcification (AAC), extracranial (ECAC), and intracranial carotid artery calcification (ICAC). All participants underwent blood sampling, from which plasma Lp(a) concentrations were derived. The association of plasma Lp(a) levels was assessed with calcification volumes and with severe calcification (upper quartile of calcification volume) using sex-stratified multivariable linear and logistic regression models. Higher Lp(a) levels were associated with larger ln-transformed volumes of CAC [fully adjusted beta 95% confidence interval (CI) per 1 standard deviation (SD) in women: 0.09, 95% CI 0.04–0.14, men: 0.09, 95% CI 0.03–0.14], AAC (women: 0.06, 95% CI 0.01–0.11, men: 0.09, 95% CI 0.03–0.14), ECAC (women: 0.07, 95% CI 0.02–0.13, men: 0.08, 95% CI 0.03–0.14), and ICAC (women: 0.09, 95% CI 0.03–0.14, men: 0.05, 95% CI −0.02 to 0.11]. In the highest Lp(a) percentile, severe ICAC was most prevalent in women [fully adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.41, 95% CI 1.25–4.63] and severe AAC in men (fully adjusted OR 3.29, 95% CI 1.67–6.49). Conclusion Higher Lp(a) was consistently associated with a larger calcification burden in all major arteries. The findings of this study indicate that Lp(a) is a systemic risk factor for arteriosclerosis and thus potentially an effective target for treatment. Lp(a)-reducing therapies may reduce the burden from arteriosclerotic events throughout the arterial system. Translational perspective In 2354 participants from the Rotterdam study, we assessed the link between Lp(a) concentrations and arterial calcifications, as proxy for arteriosclerosis, in major arteries. We found that higher Lp(a) levels were consistently associated with larger volumes of calcification in the coronary arteries, aortic arch, extracranial carotid arteries, and intracranial carotid arteries. The findings of our study indicate that Lp(a) is a systemic risk factor for arteriosclerosis, suggesting that the systemic burden of arteriosclerosis throughout the arterial system could be reduced by targeting Lp(a).
The expansion wave concept. I. Efficient calculation of spatial Green's functions in a stratified dielectric medium

A procedure is given to perform the inverse Fourier transformation relating a spatial Green's function to its spectral equivalent. The procedure is applied to the spectral Green's functions of the double scalar mixed-potential integral expression formulation of the electromagnetic field in a stratified dielectric medium. The extraction technique is used to annihilate every type of "problematic" behavior of the spectral Green's functions. Every annihilating function is inverse Fourier transformed analytically. It is shown that the annihilation of both the surface wave poles and the singularities at the branch point results in a set of analytical spatial functions, which are a very good approximation of the exact spatial Green's function down to relatively small lateral distances.