Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Uptake of a new meningitis vaccination programme amongst first-year undergraduate students in the United Kingdom: A cross-sectional study

Background In 2015 meningococcal group W was declared endemic in the UK, with the meningococcal ACWY vaccination (MenACWY) subsequently introduced amongst adolescents and first-year university students. This study aimed to determine MenACWY uptake amongst students and to evaluate how this was influenced by demographics and via the Health Belief Model (HBM). Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted at a British university amongst first-year undergraduate students aged 18–25 years. Data collection was via an electronic questionnaire encompassing demographics, the HBM and vaccination status. Univariable analysis of the associations between demographics, health beliefs and vaccination was performed, followed by multiple logistic regression. Results 401 participants were included in analysis. Vaccine uptake was 68.1%. Variables independently associated with vaccination upon multiple regression were age, gap-year, perceived effectiveness of the vaccine and knowledge about risk of meningitis. Compared to 18 year-olds, the odds of vaccination were reduced for 19 year-olds (aOR = 0.087, 95% CI = 0.010–0.729), 20 year-olds (aOR = 0.019, 95% CI = 0.002–0.161) and 21–25 year-olds (aOR = 0.003, 95% CI = <0.001–0.027). In contrast, taking a gap year (aOR = 2.939, 95% CI = 1.329–6.501), higher perceived vaccine effectiveness (aOR = 3.555, 95% CI = 1.787–7.073) and knowledge about meningitis risk (aOR = 2.481, 95% CI = 1.165–5.287) were independently associated with increased uptake. Conclusions MenACWY uptake amongst students in this study and in other sources is above the national coverage for all adolescents (35.3%), indicating that this vaccination programme may be increasing health inequalities. Older students are less likely to become vaccinated due to differing vaccination policy in this age-group. In future, strategies that focus on specific student cohorts and that highlight vaccine effectiveness and the risk of meningitis should be considered. National evaluation of this vaccination programme is recommended to clarify its impact on health inequalities.
A Comparison Between Systolic and Diastolic Pulse Contour Analysis in the Evaluation of Arterial Stiffness

Abstract—Several methodologically independent measures of arterial stiffness derived from either the systolic or diastolic segments of the arterial pulse have been proposed. The exact nature of the large and small artery elasticity indices (C1 and C2, respectively) derived from diastolic pulse contour analysis remains largely unexplored, although C2 has controversially been termed to be “oscillatory” and “reflective. ” We investigated the relation between C2 and, respectively, a prototype of arterial reflectivity (ie, the augmentation index, AIx) and a covariate of arterial reflectivity (body height). A validated transfer function is used to transform a tonometrically obtained radial pressure wave into an ascending aortic pressure wave, from which AIx is derived using systolic pulse contour analysis. Diastolic pulse contour analysis using a modified Windkessel model is used to derive C1 and C2. One hundred subjects, who were free from atherothrombotic disease and 19 to 77 years of age, with a wide pressure range (97 to 186/52 to 104 mm Hg) were studied. Mean values of C1, C2, AIx, and body height were, respectively, 13.8±4.3 mL/mm Hg×10, 5.9±3.1 mL/mm Hg×100, 128.5±24.9%, and 169±9 cm. Coefficients of variation were 32.8% for C1, 33.3% for C2, and 6.7% for AIx. C2 was significantly and inversely correlated to AIx (r =−0.707, P <0.001). Both AIx and C2 were correlated to body height (r =−0.487, P <0.001, and r =0.514, P <0.001). In conclusion, the results of this study provide the first clinical evidence that validates a probable biophysical equivalent of the C2 element of a third-order, 4-element modified Windkessel model. We suggest that C2 is, at least in part, a measure of arterial wave reflectance. However, although short-term reproducibility of AIx is excellent, C2 showed markedly increased variability with the devices used.
Role of the gut microbiota and innate immunity in polycystic ovary syndrome: Current updates and future prospects

Abstract Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the modern intractable reproductive diseases. The female irregular menstruation, infertility, obesity, and so forth caused by PCOS have become a hot issue affecting family harmony and social development. The aetiology of PCOS is complex. In recent years, many scholars have found that its pathogenesis was related to the imbalance of gut microbiota. Gut microbiota can form two‐way communication with the brain through the ‘gut‐brain axis’ and affect the host's metabolism. Current research has confirmed that the gut microbiota can interfere with glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, hormone secretion and follicular development in women by altering intestinal mucosal permeability and secreting metabolites. In addition, the diversity and composition of gut microbiota of PCOS patients changed, which may affect the metabolic function of the gut microbiota and the ability to produce metabolites, and may also directly or indirectly affect the endocrine function. This study reviewed recent research advances about the role of gut microbiota in PCOS. In order to provide basis for prevention and treatment of PCOS based on gut microbiota.
FATTENING CAPACITY OF MERINO OF CLUJ SHEEP WITHIN DIFFERENT SYSTEMS

Merino of Cluj is breed was founded during 1959 – 1988, within the University ofAgricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, as result of the workperformed by research team coordinated by Professor Augustin Pop. Turcana breed(white variety, Sibiu ecotype) was used as maternal line, and Transylvanian Merino aspaternal line. Merino of Cluj bred frames within mix morpho-type ”meat-milk-finewool”, well adapted to hilly areas with high precipitation level.In context of reorientation of the production directions, the breed is suitable for meatproduction being exploited on both pasture and intensively. When pasture fattening wasperformed for 150 days, body weights of 37.75 ± 0.30 kg and 42.00 ± 0.17 kg wererecorded in the end of the fattening period, function of feeding level. When 100 daysintensive fattening was performed, body weight of 40.62 ± 0.40 kg was recorded in theend of the fattening period. The average daily accumulation of body weight, whenpasture fattening was performed, recorded values between 107.06 and 136.66 g, and251.00 g when intensive fattening was performed.
Nutrient uptake controls and limitation dynamics in north-east Greenland streams

ABSTRACT Permafrost thaw induced by climate change will cause increased release of nutrients and organic matter from the active layer to Arctic streams and, with increased water temperature, will potentially enhance algal biomass and nutrient uptake. Although essential for accurately predicting the response of Arctic streams to environmental change, knowledge of nutrient release on current Arctic in-stream processing is limited. Addressing this research gap, we quantified nutrient uptake of short-term releases of NO3−, PO43- and NH4+ during peak snowmelt season in five streams of contrasting physiochemical characteristics (from unstable, highly turbid to highly stable, clear-water systems) in north-east Greenland to elucidate the major controls driving nutrient dynamics. Releases were plus or minus acetate to evaluate uptake dynamics with and without a dissolved organic carbon source. To substantiate limiting nutrients to algal biomass, nutrient-diffusing substrates were installed in the five streams for 16 days with NH4+, PO43- or NH4+ + PO43- on organic and inorganic substrates. Observed low uptake rates were due to a combination of low nutrient and DOC concentrations, combined with low water temperature and primary producer biomass, and substantial variation occurred between streams. N was found to be the primary limiting nutrient for biofilm, whilst streams displayed widespread PO43- limitation. This research has important implications for future changes in nutrient processing and export in Arctic streams, which are predicted to include increased nutrient uptake rates due to increased nutrient availability, warmer water temperatures and increased concentration of labile carbon. These changes could have ecosystem and landscape-wide impacts.
Grading of small hepatocellular carcinomas (≤2 cm): correlation between histology, T2 and diffusion-weighted imaging.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the capacity of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to determine the histological grade of small-sized hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in liver cirrhosis in comparison with T2 weighted imaging. METHODS 51 cirrhotic patients with 63 histologically proven HCCs ≤2 cm underwent abdominal MRI, including DWI (b-values 50, 400 and 800 s mm(-2)) and T2 weighted sequences. HCCs were classified into well-differentiated HCCs (n = 37) and moderately differentiated HCCs (n = 26). Relative contrast ratios (RCRs) between the lesions and the surrounding liver were performed and compared between the two groups for T2 weighted images, each b-value and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to compare RCRs in T2 and diffusion-weighted images. RESULTS We found significant differences in RCRs between well-differentiated vs moderately differentiated HCCs for b = 50, 400 and 800 s mm(-2) and T2 weighted images (1.35 ± 0.36 vs 1.86 ± 0.62; 1.35 ± 0.38 vs 1.82 ± 0.60; 1.27 ± 0.30 vs 1.74 ± 0.53; 1.14 ± 0.18 vs 1.43 ± 0.28, respectively; p < 0.001), whereas no significant differences were observed in ADC and ADC RCR (1.05 ± 0.19 vs 0.99 ± 0.15 and 1.1 ± 0.22 vs 1.09 ± 0.23; p = 0.16 and p = 0.82, respectively). No significant difference was found in the areas under the ROC curve for RCRs of T2 weighted images and every DWI b-value (p = 0.18). CONCLUSION The RCR measurement performed in DWI 50, 400 and 800 b-values and T2 demonstrated a significant difference between well-differentiated and moderately differentiated small-sized HCCs. Furthermore, no difference was shown by using either ADC or ADC RCR. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE DWI with RCR measurement may be a valuable tool for non-invasively predicting the histological grade of small HCCs.
GABAA-Mediated Inhibition Modulates Stimulus-Specific Adaptation in the Inferior Colliculus

The ability to detect novel sounds in a complex acoustic context is crucial for survival. Neurons from midbrain through cortical levels adapt to repetitive stimuli, while maintaining responsiveness to rare stimuli, a phenomenon called stimulus-specific adaptation (SSA). The site of origin and mechanism of SSA are currently unknown. We used microiontophoretic application of gabazine to examine the role of GABAA-mediated inhibition in SSA in the inferior colliculus, the midbrain center for auditory processing. We found that gabazine slowed down the process of adaptation to high probability stimuli but did not abolish it, with response magnitude and latency still depending on the probability of the stimulus. Blocking GABAA receptors increased the firing rate to high and low probability stimuli, but did not completely equalize the responses. Together, these findings suggest that GABAA-mediated inhibition acts as a gain control mechanism that enhances SSA by modifying the responsiveness of the neuron.
A hallmark of active class switch recombination: Transcripts directed by I promoters on looped-out circular DNAs

To specify when and where Ig class switch recombination (CSR) takes place, a good molecular marker closely associated with active CSR is required. CSR is accompanied by deletion of circular DNA from the Ig heavy chain locus. The circular DNA contains a DNA segment between Sμ and a target S region including its I promoter, which is driven by specific cytokine stimulation before CSR. We found that the specific I promoter is still active in looped-out circular DNA and directs production of I-Cμ transcripts termed “circle transcripts. ” Reverse transcription–PCR demonstrated transient induction of specific circle transcripts upon CSR in a murine lymphoma cell line, CH12F3-2A, as well as spleen B cells. Production of the circle transcripts appeared to depend on expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), an essential factor for CSR. A comparison of kinetics between circle transcripts and circular DNA showed more rapid disappearance of circle transcripts. Thus, circle transcripts may serve as a hallmark for active CSR in vitro and in vivo.
Is it One Break or Ongoing Permanent Shocks That Explains U.S. Real GDP?

The relative importance of permanent versus cyclical shocks to GDP has been found to depend on the presence or absence of a single break in mean growth. We estimate unobserved components models conditional on a trend break having occurred in any specified quarter and use the Bayesian model averaging to combine the conditional estimates. We estimate a break occurred around 2006:1. Allowing for a break significantly reduces estimates of trend variance. However, enough spread remains in the posterior distribution to indicate that available data does not definitively settle the question of the relative importance of trend versus cycle.
Investigation and Analysis of the Fluctuating Brominated to Total Trihalomethane Ratio in the Virginia Beach Distribution System

INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE FLUCTUATING BROMINATED TO TOTAL TRIHALOMETHANE RATIO IN THE VIRGINIA BEACH DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Christopher Steven Mihalkovic Old Dominion University, 2017 Director: Dr. Gary C. Schafran An increasing trend in the brominated-trihalomethane to total-trihalomethane concentration ratio from 2001 to 2016 in the Virginia Beach water distribution system was established and investigated. This study aimed at identifying factors contributing to fluctuations in trihalomethane speciation in finished water. Reservoir management practices, treatment processes, and source water conditions were examined to quantitatively and qualitatively discern the impact of their variations on finished water THM speciation. Data on water quality constituents and parameters from the Moore’s Bridges Treatment Facility and within the Virginia Beach distribution system were examined to interpret spatial and temporal relationships with trihalomethane concentrations using established research as a guide. A linear regression analysis performed on both TTHM concentrations and the brominated-THM to total-THM concentration ratio affirms that TTHM concentrations experienced a decreasing trend while the brominated-THM to total-THM ratio experienced an increasing trend from 2001 to 2016. It was found that TTHM concentrations in the Virginia Beach distribution system experience seasonal periodicity while the brominated-THM to total-THM concentration ratio experiences longer term trends that extend across multiple years, and fluctuations in each match up with trends in source water total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations. A multiple regression analysis using disinfection conditions revealed that TOC concentration in filtered water and raw water temperature at Moore’s Bridges Treatment Facility were the most influential disinfection conditions contributing to finished-water TTHM concentrations. Matching trends between source water TOC and THM concentrations, along with consistent treatment practices at Moore’s Bridges Treatment Facility, suggests that influences on source water composition are the primary drivers of significant fluctuations and long-term trends of the brominated-THM to total-THM concentration ratio. Future monitoring of bromide concentrations upstream of source water intakes and continued measurements of other water quality parameters and constituents (i.e., conductivity, TOC, alkalinity, and pH) in relevant reservoirs can greatly aid in strengthening and interpreting relationships between source water composition and finished-water constituents.
Le stratotype historique de l'Aptien inférieur (région de Cassis-La Bédoule) : synthèse stratigraphique

La mise en correlation des principaux signaux d'ordre sedimentaire, biologique et geochimique recueillis a l'occasion d'une revision du stratotype historique de l'Aptien inferieur dans la region de La Bedou-le-Cassis permet de mettre en evidence et de calibrer au sein de la serie barremo-bedoulienne un certain nombre de coupures ou discontinuites importantes ou meme majeures : niveau "Taxy", niveau "Roch" (limite Barremien-Aptien), niveau "Toucas", discontinuite A2 (majeure) (limite Bedoulien inferieur-Bedoulien superieur), banc 158, banc 170, et de les replacer dans le contcxtc regional (SE de la France). Inversement des crises reconnues dans l'ocean mondial ("crise des Nannoconus", evenement anoxique AOE1a) ou la limite paleontologique entre Bedoulien et Gargasien ne sont pas clairement exprimees ou marquees a La Bedoule. Les coupures resultant d'une approche de stratigraphie integree ne coincident aussi que tres rarement avec les limites de sequences et autres evenements de la recente charte sequentielle publiee par Hardenbol et al. (1998), pourtant en grande partie appuyee sur des donnees d'observation provenant du stratotype. Au strict point de vue biostratigraphique, la limite Barremien-Aptien est precisement marquee par l'apparition du genre d'ammonites Deshayesites, dont les differentes especes (D. tuarkyricus, D. weissi, D. deshayesi), relayees par un autre Deshayesitide (Dufrenoya furcata) permettent egalement d'etablir une biozonation de l'Aptien inferieur conforme au standard mediterraneen. Seul le Bedoulien superieur est clairement caracterise par des changements significatifs des Foraminiferes planctoniques, avec l'apparition etagee de plusieurs especes dont notamment Blowiella blowi et Schackoina (Leupoldina ) cabri. Aucun renouvellement marque n'est observe a la limite Bedoulien-Gargasien. En revanche les Nannofossiles calcaires marquent la limite Barremien-Aptien avec l'apparition d 'Hayesites irregularis, ia limite Bedoulien inferieur-Bedoulien superieur avec celle de Rhagodiscus angustus et la base de la zone a D. furcata avec Eprolithus floralis. Chez les Dino-flagelles les bio-evenements s'operent au sein des principales bio¬ zones d'ammonites, avec en particulier l'apparition de Tehamadinium tenuiceras, datum significatif a l'echelle au moins europeenne, ici calibre au sein de la zone a D. furcata.
Complete interpolating sequences for Paley-Wiener spaces and Muckenhoupt's ($A_p$) condition

We describe the complete interpolating sequences for the Paley-Wiener spaces Lpp (1 < p < 8) in terms of Muckenhoupt's (Ap) condition. For p = 2, this description coincides with those given by Pavlov [9], Nikol'skii [8] and Minkin [7] of the unconditional bases of complex exponentials in L2(-p,p). While the techniques of these authors are linked to the Hilbert space geometry of Lp2, our method of proof is based in turning the problem into one about boundedness of the Hilbert transform in certain weighted Lp spaces of functions and sequences.
Does the "tunnel effect" still remains in 2016?

The Channel tunnel and the Eurostar TGV have been a great chance for the Nord-Pas de Calais Region replacing it in a European and French geography. The accompanying 'Transmanche plan' has provided new infrastructures, regional integration and new opportunities. They permitted the openness to Europe and neighbourhood regions and replace definitely the Region in a European dynamic. Nevertheless, the present changing economic context, new political philosophy and the wear dried up the driving forces. If the development conditions are there it lacks a new vision and a new engine. The restructuration around the Channel tunnel concession, the Port of Calais and the rail market with new operators could be the challenge for a new development for the Kent - Nord-Pas-de-Calais integrated maritime region.
Association between the number of early carious lesions and diet in children with a high prevalence of caries.

AIM An investigation was conducted in a population of paediatric patients with a high risk of caries in order to assess the association between caries history (CH) and the number of early carious lesions (ECLs) and the frequency and timing of cariogenic food and beverage intake, sugar-containing medication, the frequency and efficacy of tooth brushing, and the use of topical fluorides. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study design: descriptive study. One hundred children aged 6-15 years with≥ ECL of a permanent tooth and not enrolled in any dental health educational or preventive programme were selected. For diagnosis it was used an explorer according to the ICDAS II criteria. The participants completed a closed-list questionnaire on the frequency and timing of cariogenic food intake. RESULTS There was a nonsignificant tendency to present more ECLs and a greater CH among patients who consumed cariogenic foods and beverages. A significant relationship (p<0.05) was observed between cariogenic beverages and the number of ECL or CH. Using the number of ECLs as dependent variable, regular fluoridated rinses (p=0.003), frequent sugar-containing medication (p=0.007), and cariogenic beverage consumption (p=0.024) were identified as explanatory parameters in the linear regression model. STATISTICS The Student t-test was used to compare ECL and CH with dietetic factors, fluoridated rinses, sugar- containing medicines, and the frequency and efficacy of tooth brushing. Linear regression analysis correlated the number of ECLs to the mentioned explanatory variables. CONCLUSION The frequent consumption of sugary beverages and medications, and failure to regularly use fluoridated rinses, were positively correlated to an increased number of ECLs in patients with a high prevalence of caries.
Vertical Changes in Soil Moisture in a Tussock Grassland Soil

A pilot study was undertaken in the Saint Marys Range, Canterbury, New Zealand to assess how soil moisture varies with depth in a shallow subalpine mineral soil. Observations of soil moisture over a threeweek period showed the top 35 cm of the profile to respond to both drying and wetting cycles, but at depths greater than 60 cm there was little change in volumetric water content. At field capacity the potential available water depth was 62 mm, over a 300 mm soil profile. Infiltration rates between 10 and13 mm hr-1 (high for a silty loam) reflect the rocky fragments contained in the soil.
Time-dependent mood fluctuations in Antarctic personnel: a meta-analysis

ABSTRACT The third-quarter phenomenon is the dominant theoretical model to explain the psychological impacts of deployment in Antarctica on personnel. It posits that detrimental symptoms to functioning, such as negative mood, increase gradually throughout deployment and peak at the third-quarter point, regardless of overall deployment length. However, there is equivocal support for the model. The current meta-analysis included data from 21 studies (involving 1,826 participants) measuring negative mood during deployment to elucidate this discrepancy. Across studies analyses were conducted on three data types: stratified by month using repeated-measured all time points meta-analytic techniques and pre/post-deployment data for summer/winter deployment seasons. Our results did not support the proposed parameters of the third-quarter phenomenon, as negative mood did not peak at the third-quarter point (August/September) of deployment. Overall effect sizes indicated that negative mood was greater at baseline than the end of deployment for summer and winter deployment seasons. These findings have theoretical and practical implications and should be used to guide future research, assisting in the development and modification of pre-existing prevention and intervention programmes to improve well-being and functioning of personnel during Antarctic deployment.