Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial Activities of Five Medicinal Plants in Ethiopia against Some Human and Animal Pathogens

Objective To evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activities of five plant extracts which have been used as traditional medicines by local healers against three multidrug resistant bacteria, namely, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results The highest mean zone of inhibition (4.66 mm) was recorded from methanol extract of Calpurnia aurea (Ait.) Benth. at a concentration of 200 mg/ml against S. aureus, followed by Croton macrostachyus Del. (4.43 mm) at the same dose and solvent for the same bacterial species, while methanol and chloroform extracts of E. brucei Schwein. did not inhibit growth of any bacterial species. The lowest value (100 μg/ml) of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was observed from both methanol and chloroform extracts of C. aurea (Ait.) Benth. against all the three bacteria. The results of the positive control had no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) when compared with crude extracts of C. aurea (Ait.) Benth. at concentration of 200 mg/ml against S. aureus. Conclusion The results of the present study support the traditional uses of these medicinal plants by the local healers. Except Erythrina brucei Schwein. , all the plants investigated in this study exhibited antibacterial activities against the test bacterial species. Further researches are needed to be conducted to evaluate efficacy of these medicinal plant species on other microbes in different agroecological settings and their safety levels as well as their phytochemical compositions.
Temperature‐related shifts in butterfly phenology depend on the habitat

Many species are becoming active earlier in the season as the climate becomes warmer. In parallel to phenological responses to climate change, many species have also been affected by habitat changes due to anthropogenic land use. As habitat type can directly affect microclimatic conditions, concurrent changes in climate and habitat could have interacting effects on the phenology of species. Temperature‐related shifts in phenology, however, have mostly been studied independent of habitat types. Here, I used long‐term data from a highly standardized monitoring program with 519 transects to study how phenology of butterflies is affected by ambient temperature and habitat type. I compared forests, agricultural areas and settlements, reflecting three major land use forms, and considered butterfly species that were observed in all three of these habitats. Seasonal appearance of the butterflies was affected both by the ambient temperature and the habitat type. As expected, warmer temperatures led to an overall advancement of the appearance and flight period of most species. Surprisingly, however, phenology of species was delayed in settlement habitats, even though this habitat type is generally associated with higher temperatures. A possible explanation is dispersal among habitat types, such that source–sink effects affect local phenology. When there is little productivity in settlement areas, observed butterflies may have immigrated from forest or agricultural habitats and thus appear later in settlements. My findings suggest that a spillover of individuals among habitats may affect phenology trends and indicate that phenological studies need to be interpreted in the context of habitat types. This becomes especially important when defining strategies to prevent or mitigate effects of climate and land‐use changes on phenology and abundance of species.
An Investigation of Influencing Factors on Practical Sub-Diffraction-Limit Focusing of Planar Super-Oscillation Lenses

Planar super-oscillation lenses (SOLs) can fulfill super-resolution focusing and nanoscopic imaging in the far field without the contribution of evanescent waves. Nevertheless, the existing deviations between the design and experimental results have been seldomly investigated, leaving the practical applications of SOLs unpredictable and uncontrollable. In this paper, some application-oriented issues are taken into consideration, such as the inevitable fabrication errors and the size effect of the designed SOLs, with the aim of providing an engineering reference to elaborately customize the demanded focusing light field. It turned out that a thicker structural film makes the focal spots enlarged, while the sloped sidewalls just weaken the intensity of the focal hotspot. Furthermore, the focal lengths are diminished with the decrease of device size, while the focal spots are enlarged. This research will promote the wide-spread applications of SOLs for sub-diffraction-limit far-field focusing in the areas of nanoscopy and high-density optical storage.
Associations Between Cannabis Use and Physical Health Problems in Early Midlife: A Longitudinal Comparison of Persistent Cannabis vs Tobacco Users.

IMPORTANCE After major policy changes in the United States, policymakers, health care professionals, and the general public seek information about whether recreational cannabis use is associated with physical health problems later in life. OBJECTIVE To test associations between cannabis use over 20 years and a variety of physical health indexes at early midlife. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Participants belonged to a representative birth cohort of 1037 individuals born in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1972 and 1973 and followed to age 38 years, with 95% retention (the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study). We tested whether cannabis use from ages 18 to 38 years was associated with physical health at age 38, even after controlling for tobacco use, childhood health, and childhood socioeconomic status. We also tested whether cannabis use from ages 26 to 38 years was associated with within-individual health decline using the same measures of health at both ages. EXPOSURES We assessed frequency of cannabis use and cannabis dependence at ages 18, 21, 26, 32, and 38 years. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES We obtained laboratory measures of physical health (periodontal health, lung function, systemic inflammation, and metabolic health), as well as self-reported physical health, at ages 26 and 38 years. RESULTS The 1037 study participants were 51.6% male (n = 535). Of these, 484 had ever used tobacco daily and 675 had ever used cannabis. Cannabis use was associated with poorer periodontal health at age 38 years and within-individual decline in periodontal health from ages 26 to 38 years. For example, cannabis joint-years from ages 18 to 38 years was associated with poorer periodontal health at age 38 years, even after controlling for tobacco pack-years (β = 0.12; 95% CI, 0.05-0.18; P <.001). Additionally, cannabis joint-years from ages 26 to 38 years was associated with poorer periodontal health at age 38 years, even after accounting for periodontal health at age 26 years and tobacco pack-years (β = 0.10; 95% CI, 0.05-0.16; P <.001) However, cannabis use was unrelated to other physical health problems. Unlike cannabis use, tobacco use was associated with worse lung function, systemic inflammation, and metabolic health at age 38 years, as well as within-individual decline in health from ages 26 to 38 years. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Cannabis use for up to 20 years is associated with periodontal disease but is not associated with other physical health problems in early midlife.
THE EFFECT OF APPROACH VELOCITY ON CENTRE OF MASS MOTION AND PERFORMANCE OF THE MAXIMAL INSTEP SOCCER KICK

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of approach velocity on centre of mass (CoM) motion and total body angular momentum during the maximal instep soccer kick. Four semi-professional players performed kicks at Self-Selected (SS), Fast and Slow approach speeds and full body motion was captured at 1000Hz. Dependent variables were CoM approach velocity, CoM deceleration impulse, foot velocity, ball velocity and maximum angular momentum about total body CoM. Foot and ball velocities were significantly larger in the Fast compared to Slow condition. Approach speed was strongly correlated to foot and ball velocity, whereas there was no correlation between CoM deceleration impulse and foot and ball velocities. Training soccer players to approach the ball at slightly faster velocities than their perceived optimal speeds may be beneficial for performance.
AN ANALYSIS OF STRESS CONCENTRATIONS CAUSED BY SHOT PEENING AND ITS APPLICATION IN PREDICTING FATIGUE STRENGTH

— In order to calculate the stress concentration caused by shot-peening dents, three simplified models, namely a one-pit model, a seven-pit model and a pit-loop model, are proposed in this paper. By using a finite element program for automatic dynamic incremental non-linear analysis, the stress concentration coefficients based on these models are calculated for different pit parameters and different stress fields. When considering the stress concentration and residual stress field produced by shot peening, a modified Goodman formula is proposed and used for forecasting the fatigue strength of peened specimens having the fatigue sources at the surface. The forecasted results were verified by peening followed by fatigue tests on 40Cr steel.
Increases in humic and bioavailable dissolved organic matter in a forested New England headwater stream with increasing discharge

Understanding the processes controlling the transfer of organic matter from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems is of fundamental importance for the aquatic sciences. Over the course of a full year, fluorescence, absorbance and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter (DOM) were characterised in Bigelow Brook, a forested headwater stream in Massachusetts, USA. Parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) identified a four-component model to describe observed DOM fluorescence (C1–C4). Component C2 exhibited the characteristics of a more humic-like fluorophore, with a potentially more reduced redox state and increased with discharge, whereas more fulvic-like (C1) and protein-like (C3, C4) fluorophores decreased. Under both dark and light-exposed conditions, percentage bioavailable dissolved organic carbon (%BDOC) increased with discharge (R2 = 0.37 and R2 = 0.56). C2 and specific absorptivity (SUVA) were reduced following BDOC incubations, whereas C1, C3 and C4 increased. These changes to DOM characteristics with increasing discharge were observed under both baseflow and stormflow conditions, indicating that with rising watertable, loading from a large riparian or hyporheic pool of organic matter is likely occurring. Other headwater streams, where loading is controlled by hillslope processes, are likely to exhibit a similar pattern of increasing export of more humic and bioavailable DOM during hydrologic events.
Relationships Between Treatment Delivery, Program Attrition, and Reoffending Outcomes in an Intensive Custodial Sex Offender Program

Retention of sex offenders to the completion of treatment is critical to program adherence to risk need responsivity (RNR) principles; however, it is also important to consider the potential interaction between attrition and treatment outcomes such as reoffending. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of changes to treatment delivery in a residential sex offender treatment program (SOTP), including introduction of rolling groups and systematic emphasis on positive therapist characteristics, on likelihood of program noncompletion (n = 652). Pooled regression modeling indicated that these operational interventions were associated with a significantly increased likelihood of program completion. We also examined whether variance in rates of participant attrition was related to reoffending outcomes for program completers (n = 494). Incidence of attrition within completing participants’ treatment cohorts had a significant negative association with hazard of sexual reoffending that was not accounted for by pretreatment risk. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for treatment delivery processes that aim to optimize both participant retention and treatment effectiveness.
Development of an interatomic potential for phosphorus impurities in α-iron

We present the derivation of an interatomic potential for the iron–phosphorus system based primarily on ab initio data. Transferability in this system is extremely problematic, and the potential is intended specifically to address the problem of radiation damage and point defects in iron containing low concentrations of phosphorus atoms. Some preliminary molecular dynamics calculations show that P strongly affects point defect migration.
Cancer risk in different generations of Middle Eastern immigrants to California, 1988–2013

The objective of this study is to compare cancer risk among different generations of Middle Eastern immigrants (ME) and non‐Hispanic whites (NHW) in California between 1988 and 2013. We used data from the California Cancer Registry to identify invasive primary incident cancer cases in three population groups: (i) first‐generation ME immigrants, (ii) second‐ or subsequent‐generations ME immigrants, and (iii) NHW. Proportional incidence ratio (PIR) was used to compare cancer risk of the 15 selected most common cancers in the 3 population groups taking into consideration time since immigration for first‐generation ME immigrants. First generation ME immigrants were more likely to be at increased risk of stomach (PIR= 3.13) and hepatobiliary (PIR = 2.27) cancers in females and thyroid (PIR = 2.19) and stomach (PIR = 2.13) cancers in males in comparison with NHW. Second‐ or subsequent‐generations ME immigrants were at increased risk of thyroid cancer (PIR = 1.43 in females and 2.00 in males) in comparison with NHW, and malignant melanoma cancer (PIR = 4.53 in females and 4.61 in males) in comparison with first‐generation ME immigrants. The risk levels of breast, thyroid and bladder cancers in ME first generation were significantly higher compared to NHW regardless of time spent in the United States suggesting the role of genetic predisposition, and/or cultural characteristics associated with these cancers. The results suggest that differences in cancer risk between ME first‐generation immigrants and NHW change in second or subsequent generations, approaching the risk level of NHW and indicating the impact of acculturation in this immigrant population.
Protection against Weathering Using Micronized Copper Quat and Heat Treatment Methods on Wood for Construction of Mountain Houses

AbstractDuring this study, the protective effects of heat treatment and micronized copper quat (MCQ) impregnation on wooden surfaces in outdoor conditions were observed. Within the scope of the study, the 15-month weathering test effects on the Uzungol and Hidirnebi plateaus on oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wooden materials were studied. Changes of color, roughness, and visual-macroscopic values were compared on wooden surfaces that were subjected to weathering tests. Changes in the chemical properties of exposed surfaces were investigated with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The presented data have clearly shown that the MCQ and heat treatment methods increased the stabilization of color and have slowed down the physical and chemical degradation on the wood surface under outdoor conditions. Moreover, the best protection methods against weathering were found to be heat treatment of Scots pine and MCQ impregnation of oriental beech.
Effects of yoga versus walking on mood, anxiety, and brain GABA levels: a randomized controlled MRS study.

OBJECTIVES Yoga and exercise have beneficial effects on mood and anxiety. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic activity is reduced in mood and anxiety disorders. The practice of yoga postures is associated with increased brain GABA levels. This study addresses the question of whether changes in mood, anxiety, and GABA levels are specific to yoga or related to physical activity. METHODS Healthy subjects with no significant medical/psychiatric disorders were randomized to yoga or a metabolically matched walking intervention for 60 minutes 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Mood and anxiety scales were taken at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, and before each magnetic resonance spectroscopy scan. Scan 1 was at baseline. Scan 2, obtained after the 12-week intervention, was followed by a 60-minute yoga or walking intervention, which was immediately followed by Scan 3. RESULTS The yoga subjects (n = 19) reported greater improvement in mood and greater decreases in anxiety than the walking group (n = 15). There were positive correlations between improved mood and decreased anxiety and thalamic GABA levels. The yoga group had positive correlations between changes in mood scales and changes in GABA levels. CONCLUSIONS The 12-week yoga intervention was associated with greater improvements in mood and anxiety than a metabolically matched walking exercise. This is the first study to demonstrate that increased thalamic GABA levels are associated with improved mood and decreased anxiety. It is also the first time that a behavioral intervention (i.e., yoga postures) has been associated with a positive correlation between acute increases in thalamic GABA levels and improvements in mood and anxiety scales. Given that pharmacologic agents that increase the activity of the GABA system are prescribed to improve mood and decrease anxiety, the reported correlations are in the expected direction. The possible role of GABA in mediating the beneficial effects of yoga on mood and anxiety warrants further study.
Pain and discomfort following insertion of miniscrews and premolar extractions: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To investigate and compare the experience of pain and discomfort between insertion of miniscrews and premolar extractions in adolescent patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 80 adolescents were recruited and randomized into groups A and B. Both groups were treated with extraction of the upper first premolars and fixed appliance. Beyond the fixed appliance, patients in group A received anchorage reinforcement with miniscrews. Miniscrews were inserted buccally between the second premolar and first molar when space closure started. Space closure was performed as en masse retraction with immediate loading by 150-g coil springs. Pain, discomfort, impact on daily activities, and functional jaw impairment were assessed with patient-reported questionnaires. Questionnaires were filled in at baseline, the evening after tooth extraction, 1 week after tooth extraction, the evening after screw placement, and 1 week after screw placement. RESULTS Patients reported significantly lower levels of pain (P < .001) and discomfort (P = .012) after screw placement compared with premolar extractions. The ability to drink (P = .035) and the ability to take a big bite (P < .001) were also significantly less disturbed in the evening after screw placement. During the first week after screw placement, the impact on leisure time activities was significantly lower (P = .015) compared with premolar extractions. CONCLUSION The use of miniscrews in adolescents can be recommended from a pain and discomfort perspective.
PD-L2 Expression in Human Tumors: Relevance to Anti-PD-1 Therapy in Cancer

Purpose: Tumor-associated PD-L1 expression is predictive of clinical response to PD-1–directed immunotherapy. However, PD-L1–negative patients may also respond to PD-1 checkpoint blockade, suggesting that other PD-1 ligands may be relevant to the clinical activity of these therapies. The prevalence of PD-L2, the other known ligand of PD-1, and its relationship to response to anti-PD-1 therapy were evaluated. Experimental Design: PD-L2 expression was assessed in archival tumor tissue from seven indications using a novel immunohistochemical assay. In addition, relationships between clinical response and PD-L2 status were evaluated in tumor tissues from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with recurrent or metastatic disease, treated with pembrolizumab. Results: PD-L2 expression was observed in all tumor types and present in stromal, tumor, and endothelial cells. The prevalence and distribution of PD-L2 correlated significantly with PD-L1 (P = 0.0012–<0.0001); however, PD-L2 was detected in the absence of PD-L1 in some tumor types. Both PD-L1 and PD-L2 positivity significantly predicted clinical response to pembrolizumab on combined tumor, stromal and immune cells, with PD-L2 predictive independent of PD-L1. Response was greater in patients positive for both PD-L1 and PD-L2 (27.5%) than those positive only for PD-L1 (11.4%). PD-L2 status was also a significant predictor of progression-free survival (PFS) with pembrolizumab independent of PD-L1 status. Longer median times for PFS and overall survival were observed for PD-L2–positive than PD-L2–negative patients. Conclusions: Clinical response to pembrolizumab in patients with HNSCC may be related partly to blockade of PD-1/PD-L2 interactions. Therapy targeting both PD-1 ligands may provide clinical benefit in these patients. Clin Cancer Res; 23(12); 3158–67. ©2017 AACR.
Switchable Multiwavelength Brillouin–Raman Fiber Laser Utilizing an Enhanced Nonlinear Amplifying Fiber Loop Design

We propose and demonstrate a new multiwavelength Brillouin–Raman fiber laser with switchable 10 and 20 GHz spacing. This is achieved by proper adjustments of optical coupling ratios that are incorporated in the design that consists of an enhanced nonlinear amplifying fiber loop. By utilizing a 50/50 coupler, 443 flat amplitude channels with 10 GHz spacing is realized. On the other hand, a 99/1 coupler is feasible for 20 GHz spacing that yields 215 lasing lines. In both cases, the average optical signal-to-noise ratios (OSNR) are 16.5 dB (50/50 coupler) and 24 dB (99/1 coupler). Wide multiwavelength bandwidth, flexible wavelength spacing, and high number of channels with excellent OSNRs are achieved using only a single Raman pump unit through a simple construction.
Clara Cell Protein Expression in Mechanically Ventilated Term and Preterm Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome and at Risk of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Pilot Study

The aim of this pilot study was to determine Clara cell protein (CC16) concentration in bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) fluid from full-term and preterm (<37 weeks' gestational age) neonates requiring respiratory support, having symptoms of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, and at risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We hypothesized that CC16 may be predictive of BPD diagnosis regardless of gestational age. BAL fluid CC16 was measured by ELISA at birth and at day 7 of life. Both groups that developed BPD showed significantly decreased BAL fluid CC16 levels compared to those infants that did not develop the disease. CC16 positively correlated with diagnosis of BPD and negatively with the severity of the disease. These results suggest that BAL fluid CC16 levels may have a diagnostic value at day 7 for BPD in both term and preterm infants. This study demonstrates the potential utility of BAL fluid CC16 levels as a biomarker for BPD in term infants.
CLiMF: learning to maximize reciprocal rank with collaborative less-is-more filtering

In this paper we tackle the problem of recommendation in the scenarios with binary relevance data, when only a few (k) items are recommended to individual users. Past work on Collaborative Filtering (CF) has either not addressed the ranking problem for binary relevance datasets, or not specifically focused on improving top-k recommendations. To solve the problem we propose a new CF approach, Collaborative Less-is-More Filtering (CLiMF). In CLiMF the model parameters are learned by directly maximizing the Mean Reciprocal Rank (MRR), which is a well-known information retrieval metric for measuring the performance of top-k recommendations. We achieve linear computational complexity by introducing a lower bound of the smoothed reciprocal rank metric. Experiments on two social network datasets demonstrate the effectiveness and the scalability of CLiMF, and show that CLiMF significantly outperforms a naive baseline and two state-of-the-art CF methods.