Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection among TB patients in Port Harcourt Nigeria

The joint statement by the American Thoracic Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends that all patients with tuberculosis (TB) undergo testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection after counseling. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of HIV infection among 120 patients diagnosed with microbiologically proven TB aged 18 to 54 years with a mean age of 39.5 years (standard deviation 6.75). The subjects studied were 36 male (30%) and 84 females (70%). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods were used to screen for HIV infection among the subjects. Of the 120 TB patients tested 30 (25%) were positive for HIV infection. The prevalence of HIV was higher in females 24 (80%) compared to males 6 (20%) and among singles (66.7%) compared to married subjects (33.3%) (χ2 = 83.5 and χ2 = 126.2, respectively P = 0.001). HIV-1 was the predominant viral subtype. HIV prevalence was significantly higher in subjects in the 38–47 year and 28–37 year age groups (both 40%) followed by the 18–28 year age group (20%) (χ2 = 42.6, P = 0.05). The mean CD4 lymphocyte count of the HIV-infected TB subjects was significantly lower (195 ± 40.5 cells/μL) compared to the non-HIV infected (288 ± 35.25 cells/μL P = 0.01). This study has shown a high prevalence of HIV among TB patients. Reactivation of TB among people living with HIV can be reduced by TB preventive therapy and by universal access to antiretroviral therapy.
Analysis of Fluorescent Protein Expression in Transformants of Rickettsia monacensis, an Obligate Intracellular Tick Symbiont

ABSTRACT We developed and applied transposon-based transformation vectors for molecular manipulation and analysis of spotted fever group rickettsiae, which are obligate intracellular bacteria that infect ticks and, in some cases, mammals. Using the Epicentre EZ::TN transposon system, we designed transposons for simultaneous expression of a reporter gene and a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) resistance marker. Transposomes (transposon-transposase complexes) were electroporated into Rickettsia monacensis, a rickettsial symbiont isolated from the tick Ixodes ricinus. Each transposon contained an expression cassette consisting of the rickettsial ompA promoter and a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene (GFPuv) or the ompB promoter and a red fluorescent protein reporter gene (DsRed2), followed by the ompA transcription terminator and a second ompA promoter CAT gene cassette. Selection with chloramphenicol gave rise to rickettsial populations with chromosomally integrated single-copy transposons as determined by PCR, Southern blotting, and sequence analysis. Reverse transcription-PCR and Northern blots demonstrated transcription of all three genes. GFPuv transformant rickettsiae exhibited strong fluorescence in individual cells, but DsRed2 transformants did not. Western blots confirmed expression of GFPuv in R. monacensis and in Escherichia coli, but DsRed2 was expressed only in E. coli. The DsRed2 gene, but not the GFPuv gene, contains many GC-rich amino acid codons that are rare in the preferred codon suite of rickettsiae, possibly explaining the failure to express DsRed2 protein in R. monacensis. We demonstrated that our vectors provide a means to study rickettsia-host cell interactions by visualizing GFPuv-fluorescent R. monacensis associated with actin tails in tick host cells.
Terminating the Last Interglacial: The Role of Ice Sheet–Climate Feedbacks in a GCM Asynchronously Coupled to an Ice Sheet Model

Climatic deterioration in northeastern Canada following the last interglacial resulted in the formation and abrupt expansion of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. However, the physical mechanisms leading to rapid ice sheet expansion are not well understood. Here, the authors report on experiments using an ice sheet model asynchronously coupled to a GCM to investigate the role of ice sheet‐climate feedbacks in terminating the last interglacial period. In agreement with simpler models, the experiments indicate that a specific type of ice‐albedo feedback, the small ice cap instability, is the dominant process controlling rapid expansion of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. As ice elevations increase in northeastern Canada, a stationary wave forms and strengthens over the Laurentide Ice Sheet, which acts to hinder further expansion of the ice margin and reduce the effect of the small ice cap instability. The sensitivity of these feedbacks to ice topography results in a reduction in simulated ice volume when the communication interval between the GCM and ice sheet model is lengthened since this permits larger gains in ice elevation between GCM updates and biases the simulationtowardastrongerstationarywavefeedback.Theshortestcommunicationinterval(500 yr)leadsto a Laurentide ice volume of 6 3 10 6 km 3 in 10 kyr, which is less than ice volume estimates based on the geological record but is a substantial improvement over previous GCM studies. The authors discuss potential improvements to the asynchronous coupling scheme that would more accurately resolve ice sheet‐climate feedbacks, potentially leading to greater simulated ice volume.
DROUGHTS OVER SOUTHERN AFRICA IN A DOUBLED-C02 CLIMATE

The southern African region is susceptible to climatic extremes and particularly to extended dry periods. Possible changes in the probability of dry years under doubled-C02 conditions are examined using output from the CSIRO nine-level general circulation model. Changes in annual mean rainfall are not expected to be significant. However, the model simulates an increase in the probability of dry years in the tropics, to the south-west of the subcontinent, as well as over the western and eastern parts of South Africa and southern Mozambique, where large percentage increases in the most intense dry spells are indicated. A decrease in the frequency of dry years is simulated over much of the interior of the subcontinent south of 10"s. In regions where the frequency of dry years decreases, the most severe events occur less often. The CSIRO nine-level model indicates a shift in the frequency distribution of daily rainfall events under doubled-C02 conditions. A small change in the frequency distribution of daily rainfall events may have further implications for the frequency of mid-summer droughts during the peak summer rainfall period of December-February. Increases in the frequency of mid-summer droughts are simulated over the eastern part of the subcontinent south of 20"s.
GENETIC AND PHENOTYPIC TRENDS OF CALVING INTERVAL AND AGE AT FIRST CALVING IN A COMMERCIAL HOLSTEIN HERD

SUMMARY Reproductive records of Holstein cows raised at a commercial farm during the period from 1991 to 2006 were used. A total of 3656 records of 1611 cow daughters of 413 sires and 588 dams were used to study genetic and phenotypic trends of age at first calving (AFC, mo) and calving interval (CI, d). Two animal models were applied to estimate the genetic parameters and breeding values of the two traits using VCE program. Genetic trend was estimated for the studied traits. Regression analyses by XLSTAT- Pro (2009) procedures were used to estimate genetic and phenotypic trends. Means of CI and AFC were 484 d and 27.5 mo, respectively. Heritability estimates for CI and AFC were 0.07 ± 0.01and 0.12 ± 0.04, respectively, while the corresponding estimate for repeatability of CI was 0.08. Genetic trends were 0.06 d/yr and 0.02 mo/yr for CI and AFC, respectively. Phenotypic trends were -0.48 d /yr for CI -0.04 mo/yr for AFC.
Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and the Ratio in the Diagnosis and Evaluation of Therapeutic Effect In Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the value of ox-LDL and oxidation ratio of LDL (ox-LDL/TC, ox-LDL/HDL-C and ox-LDL/LDL-C) in diagnosis and prognosis evaluation in CAD patients. Also, we aimed to observe the effect of statins on reducing level of ox-LDL and oxidation ratio of LDL, and explore whether statins still have similar effect on ox-LDL in a short period of therapy (within 2 weeks). Methods: Blood ox-LDL, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, and TG were measured in cases with acute myocardial infarction (AMI, n = 177), unstable angina pectoris (UAP, n = 195), stable angina pectoris (SAP, n = 228), normal control (n = 120), and high risk control (n = 140). Results: Mean value of ox-LDL and oxidation ratio of LDL was significantly higher in the CAD group than in the two control groups. The AUC of ROC curve of ox-LDL, ox-LDL/TC, ox-LDL/HDL-C, ox-LDL/LDL-C and apoA1/apoB were more than 0.50 (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age and ox-LDL/LDL-C related with short-term, while ox-LDL/LDL-C and ox-LDL/TC related with long-term prognosis (P < 0.05). Furthermore, after treatment with statins for 2 weeks, TC, LDL-C, ox-LDL, ox-LDL/TC, ox-LDL/HDL-C and ox-LDL/LDL-C decreased by 22%, 28%, 38%, 29%, 23% and 25% respectively. And the reduction of ox-LDL by statins is independent of lowering of LDL-C and TC. Conclusions: Ox-LDL and oxidation ratio of LDL are closely related with AS, and they are better biomarkers for discriminating between patients with coronary artery disease and healthy subjects. In addition, statins can decrease level of ox-LDL significantly, which is independent of lowering of LDL-C and TC.
Reconstruction of paternal genotypes over multiple breeding seasons reveals male green turtles do not breed annually

For species of conservation concern, knowledge of key life‐history and demographic components, such as the number and sex ratio of breeding adults, is essential for accurate assessments of population viability. Species with temperature‐dependent sex determination can produce heavily biased primary sex ratios, and there is concern that adult sex ratios may be similarly skewed or will become so as a result of climate warming. Prediction and mitigation of such impacts are difficult when life‐history information is lacking. In marine turtles, owing to the difficultly in observing males at sea, the breeding interval of males is unknown. It has been suggested that male breeding periodicity may be shorter than that of females, which could help to compensate for generally female‐biased sex ratios. Here we outline how the use of molecular‐based paternity analysis has allowed us, for the first time, to assess the breeding interval of male marine turtles across multiple breeding seasons. In our study rookery of green turtles (Chelonia mydas), 97% of males were assigned offspring in only one breeding season within the 3‐year study period, strongly suggesting that male breeding intervals are frequently longer than 1 year at this site. Our results also reveal a sex ratio of breeding adults of at least 1.3 males to each female. This study illustrates the utility of molecular‐based parentage inference using reconstruction of parental genotypes as a method for monitoring the number and sex ratio of breeders in species where direct observations or capture are difficult.
A Twofold Strategy for Riparian Restoration: Combining a Functional Flow Regime and Direct Seeding to Re‐establish Cottonwoods

The transboundary St Mary River drains Glacier National Park, USA, and was progressively dammed and diverted over the 20th century to support agricultural irrigation in northern Montana and southern Alberta, Canada. Following reduced instream flows, the riparian cottonwoods collapsed, and by 2000, few parental trees remained to provide seeds for cottonwood replenishment. As a novel twofold restoration strategy we: (1) worked with the dam operators to deliver a functional flow regime, a regulated instream flow pattern intended to recover some ecological function and specifically seedling recruitment, and (2) delivered cottonwood seeds by direct spreading and by sticking cuttings with seed catkins to allow gradual seed dispersal. The combination of river regulation and seeding enabled cottonwood colonization, and around 1.5% of the applied seeds produced seedlings after the first summer, at sites without livestock or heavy recreational use. Around 15% of those seedlings survived through the fourth summer, with mortality due to drought stress and flood scour, and establishment and survival were higher for the prairie cottonwood, Populus deltoides, than the narrowleaf cottonwood, Populus angustifolia. This study confirmed that the lack of seed source trees limited cottonwood colonization and demonstrated that the twofold restoration strategy provides promise for severe situations where parental trees have been lost. However, this would require substantial effort, and it would be more efficient to provide survivable instream flow patterns that avoid cottonwood collapse. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Examining CNN representations with respect to Dataset Bias

Given a pre-trained CNN without any testing samples, this paper proposes a simple yet effective method to diagnose feature representations of the CNN. We aim to discover representation flaws caused by potential dataset bias. More specifically, when the CNN is trained to estimate image attributes, we mine latent relationships between representations of different attributes inside the CNN. Then, we compare the mined attribute relationships with ground-truth attribute relationships to discover the CNN's blind spots and failure modes due to dataset bias. In fact, representation flaws caused by dataset bias cannot be examined by conventional evaluation strategies based on testing images, because testing images may also have a similar bias. Experiments have demonstrated the effectiveness of our method.
Afferent Connections to the Rostrolateral Part of the Periaqueductal Gray: A Critical Region Influencing the Motivation Drive to Hunt and Forage

Previous studies have shown that a particular site in the periaqueductal gray (PAG), the rostrolateral PAG, influences the motivation drive to forage or hunt. To have a deeper understanding on the putative paths involved in the decision-making process between foraging, hunting, and other behavioral responses, in the present investigation, we carried out a systematic analysis of the neural inputs to the rostrolateral PAG (rlPAG), using Fluorogold as a retrograde tracer. According to the present findings, the rlPAG appears to be importantly driven by medial prefrontal cortical areas involved in controlling attention-related and decision-making processes. Moreover, the rlPAG also receives a wealth of information from different amygdalar, hypothalamic, and brainstem sites related to feeding, drinking, or hunting behavioral responses. Therefore, this unique combination of afferent connections puts the rlPAG in a privileged position to influence the motivation drive to choose whether hunting and foraging would be the most appropriate adaptive responses.
ALDH1A1 mRNA expression in association with prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer

ALDH1 is a crucial element in the retinoic acid signaling pathway regulating the self-renewal and differentiation of normal stem cells, and may play an important role in cancer progression. However, research on ALDH1 gene expressionand breast cancer prognosis has yielded conflicting results. We evaluated the association between tumor tissue ALDH1A1/ALDH1A3 mRNA expression and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) prognosis in the Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study (SBCSS, N=463), Nashville Breast Health Study (NBHS, N=86), and Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS, N=47). Gene expression was measured in RNA isolated from breast cancer tissues. In the SBCSS, higher ALDH1A1 mRNA level was associated with improved disease-free (HR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.80-0.95, per log unit change) and overall survival (HR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.78-0.93 per log unit change) independent of age at diagnosis, TNM stage and treatment. We replicated the findings for overall survival in the NBHS and SCCS (HR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.10-0.73) and for disease-free survival by a meta-analysis of four publicly-available gene expression datasets (HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.76-0.97). No significant association was found for ALDH1A3. Our study suggests high expression of ALDH1A1 mRNA in tumor tissues may be an independent predictor of a favorable TNBC outcome.
The relationship between training, learning and career development strategies on engineers’ intention to stay

This paper investigates the relationship between Human Resource Development (HRD) strategies and Malaysian engineers’ intention to stay working with their employing organization. It focuses on three main HRD strategies, namely training, learning and career development. A total of 97 questionnaires were distributed to engineers in a multinational oil and gas company, however only 68 were returned. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between all three main HRD strategies and engineers’ intention to stay, whereby learning had the strongest unique contribution to explaining engineers’ intention to stay than other HRD strategies. This finding implies that learning opportunities such as challenging works, study leave, and multi-tasking role have the capacity to influence employees’ intention to continue working in the company.
High-Q and High-Sensitivity Photonic Crystal Cavity Sensor

We present the design, fabrication, and the characterization of a high-qualityfactor (Q) and high-sensitivity photonic crystal (PhC) cavity sensor on the silicon-on-insulator platform. By optimizing the structure of the PhC cavity, most of the light can be distributed in the lower index region; thus, the sensitivity can be dramatically improved. The transmission spectrum of the PhC cavity sensor is measured by immersing the device into a sodium chloride (NaCl) solution of different mass concentrations. A Q factor of 1.3 × 104 and a very high sensitivity of 428 nm/RIU have been experimentally demonstrated. Furthermore, the total size for the sensing part of the PhC cavity sensor is only 14.5 × 0.75 μm2.
Continuous Borehole Strain and Pore Pressure in the Near Field of the 28 September 2004 M 6.0 Parkfield, California, Earthquake: Implications for Nucleation, Fault Response, Earthquake Prediction, and Tremor

Near-field observations of high-precision borehole strain and pore pres- sure, show no indication of coherent accelerating strain or pore pressure during the weeks to seconds before the 28 September 2004 M 6.0 Parkfield earthquake. Minor changes in strain rate did occur at a few sites during the last 24 hr before the earth- quake but these changes are neither significant nor have the form expected for strain during slip coalescence initiating fault failure. Seconds before the event, strain is stable at the 10 � 11 level. Final prerupture nucleation slip in the hypocentral region is constrained to have a moment less than 2 � 10 12 Nm( M 2.2) and a source size less than 30 m. Ground displacement data indicate similar constraints. Localized rupture nucleation and runaway precludes useful prediction of damaging earthquakes. Coseismic dynamic strains of about 10 microstrain peak-to-peak were superimposed on volumetric strain offsets of about 0.5 microstrain to the northwest of the epicenter and about 0.2 microstrain to the southeast of the epicenter, consistent with right lateral slip. Observed strain and Global Positioning System (GPS) offsets can be simply fit with 20 cm of slip between 4 and 10 km on a 20-km segment of the fault north of Gold Hill (M 0 � 7 � 10 17 N m). Variable slip inversion models using GPS data and seismic data indicate similar moments. Observed postseismic strain is 60% to 300% of the coseismic strain, indicating incomplete release of accumulated strain. No measurable change in fault zone compliance preceding or following the earthquake is indicated by stable earth tidal response. No indications of strain change accompany nonvolcanic tremor events reported prior to and following the earthquake.
The Effects of Morning Versus Evening Stretching Exercises in Hamstrings Flexibility Gains

THE EFFECTS OF MORNING VERSUS EVENING STRETCHING EXERCISES IN HAMSTRINGS FLEXIBILITY GAINS by Camron Einerman Emily Eleff Ana Ilijeska Aliza Zinberg Advisor: Professor Milo Lipovac Many human physiological functions, including muscle flexibility, exhibit a pattern over a 24-hour period, known as circadian rhythm. Muscle flexibility and its circadian rhythm have been researched, though much more information is needed, especially regarding the hamstring muscle group. The object of this study was to determine if stretching at different times of the day results in differences in hamstring flexibility. Since muscles and joints are most flexible at night, greater ranges of motion should be available, allowing for a greater degree of stretching to take place. We hypothesize that when utilizing the optimal type, duration, and frequency of stretch, subjects who stretch later in the day will have more significant increases in hip range of motion post intervention, as compared to subjects who stretch in the morning. The study was a randomized trial parallel-group research design; with hamstring flexibility being the outcome measure. Ten subjects between the ages of 21 to 40 years old were randomized into two intervention groups, one stretched between 0600 to 0900 the other between 1800 to 2100. Both intervention groups participated in active and passive knee extension stretches, performed for 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Pre and post intervention hamstring flexibility measurements were recorded, via manual goniometry of the hip angle while undergoing a passive straight leg raise. Data Desk Software was used to analyze the data, utilizing a 2-sample T test and one way
Impact of Sodium‐Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors on Nonglycemic Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

The efficacy of the sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and empagliflozin in reducing hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes is well documented. In addition, positive effects have been observed with these agents on nonglycemic variables, such as reductions in body weight and blood pressure, which may confer additional health benefits. SGLT2 inhibitors are also associated with evidence of renal‐protecting benefits. Furthermore, during the landmark Empagliflozin, Cardiovascular Outcomes, and Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes (EMPA‐REG OUTCOME) trial, a substantial reduction in major adverse cardiovascular outcomes was demonstrated with empagliflozin therapy. In view of the complex pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes, a pharmacologic intervention for type 2 diabetes that produces a multifaceted reduction in cardiovascular disease risk, separate from glycemic control alone, would be advantageous. Although SGLT2 inhibitors are generally well tolerated, they are associated with an increased risk of genital mycotic infections, as well as the potential risk for serious adverse events such as dehydration, development of diabetic ketoacidosis, serious urinary tract infections, and bone fractures. The findings of ongoing research will help to determine the magnitude and clinical importance of these adverse events and whether the findings of EMPA‐REG OUTCOME represent a class effect for SGLT2 inhibition or are specific to empagliflozin and will further elucidate the future role of SGLT2 inhibitors in the individualized management of patients with type 2 diabetes. In this article, we discuss the nonglycemic outcomes associated with SGLT2 inhibitor therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes as well as the clinical implications of these agents.