Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased Serum Uric Acid Levels Blunt the Antihypertensive Efficacy of Lifestyle Modifications in Children at Cardiovascular Risk

Primary hypertension is a growing concern in children because of the obesity epidemic largely attributable to western lifestyles. Serum uric acid is known to be influenced by dietary habits, correlates with obesity, and could represent a risk factor for hypertension. Preliminary studies in children highlighted uric acid as a potentially modifiable risk factor for the prevention and treatment of hypertension. The effect of lifestyle changes (increase of physical activity and dietary modifications) on blood pressure values, weight status, and serum uric acid levels in a cohort of 248 children referred for cardiovascular risk assessment were evaluated over a mean 1.5-year follow-up. At baseline, 48% of children were obese and 50% showed blood pressure values >90th percentile. At follow-up, a significant improvement in weight class (24% obese; P<0.0001) and blood pressure category (22% >90th percentile; P<0.0001) was found. Systolic blood pressure z-score (P<0.0001), uric acid value (P=0.0056), and puberty at baseline (P=0.0048) were independently associated with higher systolic blood pressure z-score at follow-up, whereas a negative association was observed with body mass index z-score decrease during follow-up (P=0.0033). The risk of hypertension at follow-up was associated with body mass index (P=0.0025) and systolic blood pressure (P<0.0001) z-score at baseline and inversely related to delta body mass index (P=0.0002), whereas the risk of showing hypertension ≥99th percentile was more than doubled for each baseline 1 mg/dL increase of serum uric acid (P=0.0130). Uric acid is a powerful determinant of blood pressure over time, independent of lifestyle modifications.
Prenatal smoking exposure, low birth weight, and disruptive behavior disorders.

BACKGROUND Prenatal problems are among theorized etiologies for child disruptive behavior problems. A key question concerns whether etiological contributors are shared across the broad range of disruptive psychopathology or are partially or largely distinct. METHOD We examined prenatal smoking exposure and low birth weight as risk factors for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD) in a population-based longitudinal design from ages 6 to 17 years. Multiple informants were used, with emphasis on parent and teacher report for ADHD, parent- and self-report interview for ODD, and self-report interview for CD, in keeping with evidence about the most valid sources of information for these respective syndromes. RESULTS The association of prenatal smoking exposure with ADHD was highly confounded by family variables. In contrast, low birth weight independently predicted ADHD, even with family variables statistically controlled. The opposite pattern appeared for ODD and CD. Prenatal smoking exposure but not low birth weight predicted ODD independent of potential confounding variables. Prenatal smoking exposure also predicted CD. The effect on CD was via its effect on ODD. CONCLUSION Prenatal smoking exposure may contribute to ODD and via that route to later CD, but does not have a specific association with ADHD in this sample. Findings have implications for distinct etiological contributors to these often comorbid aspects of the disruptive behavior domain.
Predictive modelling of average heat partition in high speed machining of AISI/SAE 4140 steel

Heat partition and cutting temperatures affect tool performance, tool wear mechanisms, and quality of the machined part in high speed machining (HSM). In this study, heat partition in the secondary deformation zone is determined by using analytical and finite element models for turning with uncoated and TiN coated tools. Numerical and experimental results are used to calculate the amount of heat entering the tool for conventional to HSM of AISI/SAE 4140 steel. This paper elucidates on the thermal properties of the tool and the workpiece materials, process variables, and contact phenomena in predicting heat partition. Results show that TiN coating enables a significant reduction in the tool-chip contact area, heat generation, tool-chip interface temperatures, and the amount of heat entering the cutting tool. More significantly, the results show that the reduction in heat partition due to TiN coating is more pronounced in HSM compared to conventional machining.
Reliability assessment of the NDT results for the internal damage of marble specimens

The damage of either intact or notched marble beams under bending is studied with both destructive and non-destructive techniques, in an effort to assess the reliability of the non-destructive methods in the case of rock-type materials. The specimens are made from Dionysos marble, the material used for the restoration of the Parthenon Temple of the Acropolis of Athens. The experimental results for the intact specimens are compared with the predictions of a damage model, while for the notched specimens the comparison is realised using the predictions of a numerical analysis employing the finite element method. The comparison is satisfactory indicating that the non-destructive technique of ultrasounds employed can be safely used for the description of the damage of rock-type materials. This conclusion is of vital importance since non-destructive techniques constitute the only experimental methods which are permitted to be used in the case of monuments which are 'unique'.
Properties of Jute Blended Yarns Spun on Ring Spinning System

The chemical modified jute fibres were spun into jute/cotton blended yarns by using of two different blending methods (the fibre blending and the sliver blending) on ring spinning system. The tensile, hairiness, Uster evenness properties of two kinds of blended yarns with different blend ratios and yarn counts were investigated in this paper. It was found that the tensile, hairiness index, mass irregularity and imperfections of blended yarn depended on amount of jute fibres in blends. The draw frame blended yarns processed the better quality than that of intimate blended yarns.
Epidemiology and treatment of Cyclospora cayetanensis infection in Peruvian children.

Cyclospora cayetanensis was detected in fecal specimens from 63 (1.1%) of 5,836 Peruvian children studied over 2 years; the protozoan was detected by modified acid-fast staining and autofluorescence under ultraviolet light. The highest prevalence occurred among children between 2 and 4 years of age. Thirty-two percent (20) of the 63 C. cayetanensis-infected children were symptomatic. Nineteen infected children were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a 3-day course of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ; 5/25 mg/[kg x d]). Children were followed up with daily stool examinations (mean number of samples examined per child +/- SE, 19 +/- 4). The mean duration of oocyst excretion +/- SE was 4.8 +/- 1.2 days for TMP-SMZ recipients compared with 12.1 +/- 6.1 days for placebo recipients (P < .02). The prevalence of C. cayetanensis infection decreases during winter months and as children age; it decreases precipitously by adulthood. In children in areas of endemicity, C. cayetanensis usually causes mild disease that is often asymptomatic. TMP-SMZ therapy significantly decreases the duration of oocyst excretion.
A Novel Blind Reversible Method for Watermarking Relational Databases

Digital Watermarking technology was introduced in the past few years, not only to ensure the ownership of the digital media, but also to ensure the integrity of those digital media. Reversible watermark (which is also called invertible watermark, or erasable watermark) enables to recover back the original data after the content have been authenticated. Such reversibility is highly desired in some sensitive database applications, e.g. in military and medical data. Permanent distortion is one of the main drawbacks of the entire irreversible relational database watermarking schemes. In this paper, we introduce a novel blind reversible watermarking method that ensures ownership protection in the field of Relational Database watermarking. In the proposed method, we utilize a reversible data-embedding technique called prediction-error expansion on integers to achieve reversibility. The experimental result shows that the blindness and robustness of this approach can defend against several kinds of database attacks.
Co‐Implantation of Carbon and Protons: An Integrated Silicon Device Technology Compatible Method to Generate the Lasing G‐Center

The optically active carbon related G‐center is attracting great interest because of evidence that it can provide lasing in silicon. Here a technique to form the G‐center in silicon is reported. The carbon G‐center is generated by implantation of carbon followed by proton irradiation. Photoluminescence measurements confirm the controlled formation of high levels of the G‐center that, importantly, completely dominates the emission spectrum. Unlike previous methods of introducing the G‐center the current approach significantly is truly fully compatible with standard silicon ULSI (ultralarge scale integration) technology.
Gaming machine density is correlated with rates of help-seeking for problem gambling: a local area analysis in Victoria, Australia

Local environment plays an important role in understanding gambling as a public health issue. This study uses help-seeking as an outcome measure for a local area analysis of problem gambling in Victoria, Australia. We used a cross-sectional ecological design to investigate the extent to which gaming industry and demographic, economic, and social factors are associated with rates of telephone and face-to-face counselling for problem gambling at the local government area level. Electronic gaming machine density was independently correlated with both types of helpseeking, with a range of local factors controlled. This studysupports previousresearch that has consistently found an association between gaming machine density and problem gambling, using gaming machine expenditure as a proxy measure of harm. We build on previous work by confirming that this relationship exists when gambling harm is measured through two types of help-seeking.
MyD88 Primes Macrophages for Full-Scale Activation by Interferon-γ yet Mediates Few Responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Macrophages are activated from a resting state by a combination of cytokines and microbial products. Microbes are often sensed through Toll-like receptors signaling through MyD88. We used large-scale microarrays in multiple replicate experiments followed by stringent statistical analysis to compare gene expression in wild-type (WT) and MyD88−/− macrophages. We confirmed key results by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Surprisingly, many genes, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase, IRG-1, IP-10, MIG, RANTES, and interleukin 6 were induced by interferon (IFN)-γ from 5- to 100-fold less extensively in MyD88−/− macrophages than in WT macrophages. Thus, widespread, full-scale activation of macrophages by IFN-γ requires MyD88. Analysis of the mechanism revealed that MyD88 mediates a process of self-priming by which resting macrophages produce a low level of tumor necrosis factor. This and other factors lead to basal activation of nuclear factor κB, which synergizes with IFN-γ for gene induction. In contrast, infection by live, virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) activated macrophages largely through MyD88-independent pathways, and macrophages did not need MyD88 to kill Mtb in vitro. Thus, MyD88 plays a dynamic role in resting macrophages that supports IFN-γ–dependent activation, whereas macrophages can respond to a complex microbial stimulus, the tubercle bacillus, chiefly by other routes.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging during deep brain stimulation: A pilot study in four patients with Parkinson's disease

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed in patients with Parkinson's disease during deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (three patients) and during deep brain stimulation of the ventral intermedius nucleus of the thalamus (one patient). All showed an increase in blood oxygenation level‐dependent signal in the subcortical regions ipsilateral to the stimulated nucleus. This effect cannot be simply explained by a mechanism of depolarization blockade; rather, it is caused by overstimulation of the target nucleus, resulting in the suppression of its spontaneous activity. We confirm that fMRI during deep brain stimulation is a safe method with considerable potential for elucidating the functional connectivity of the stimulated nuclei. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Crack-heroin speedball injection and its implications for vein care: qualitative study.

BACKGROUND We report on an exploratory qualitative study investigating drug injectors' narratives of vein damage and groin (femoral vein) injection associated with the injection of crack-heroin speedball. METHODS We undertook 44 in-depth qualitative interviews among injectors of crack-heroin speedball in Bristol and London, England, in 2006. FINDINGS The data suggest an emerging culture of crack-based speedball injection. Injectors' narratives link speedball injection with shifts towards groin injection articulated as an acceptable risk, and not merely as a last resort in the face of increased vein deterioration associated with speedball. Accounts of vein damage linked to speedball emphasize 'missed hits' related to the local anaesthetic action of crack, the excess use of citric in the preparation of speedball injections and 'flushing' when making a hit. We find that groin injection persists despite an awareness of health risks and medical complications. CONCLUSIONS We emphasize an urgent need for reviewing harm reduction in relation to vein care in the context of shifts to crack-based speedball injection, and the use of the femoral vein, among UK injectors. There is an additional need for interventions to promote safer groin and speedball injecting as well as to prevent transitions toward groin and crack injection.
Evaluation of CDC-Recommended Approaches for Confirmatory Testing of Positive Neisseria gonorrhoeae Nucleic Acid Amplification Test Results

ABSTRACT We evaluated three of the CDC approaches for confirming Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcus [GC])-positive nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) results: (i) repeating the original test on the original specimen, (ii) testing the original specimen with a different test, and (iii) performing a different test on a duplicate specimen collected at the same visit. For the first approach, clinical specimens were initially tested by Aptima Combo 2 (AC2) (Gen-Probe Inc., San Diego, CA), ProbeTec (strand displacement amplification [SDA]) (Becton Dickinson Co., Sparks, MD), and Amplicor (PCR) (Roche Molecular Systems, Branchburg, NJ). The original GC-positive specimens were then retested by the same NAAT for confirmation. For the second approach, specimens initially positive by AC2, SDA, or PCR were retested by different NAATs (SDA, PCR, AC2, and Aptima Neisseria gonorrhoeae assay [AGC]; Gen-Probe Inc.). For the third approach, duplicate urethral swabs and first-catch urine (FCU) samples from men and duplicate cervical swabs and FCU samples from women were each tested by SDA, AC2, and AGC in parallel. We found that 89 to 96% of samples positive by SDA, PCR, and AC2 were confirmed by repeat testing and that 85 to 98% of SDA, PCR, and AC2 results were confirmed by using different NAATs on the original specimen. For FCU samples from men, any NAAT can be used for confirmation. However, for all other specimen types, some NAATs cannot be used to confirm positive results from other NAATs. Thus, a single repeat test appears to be a reliable method for confirmation, but by doing more extensive testing, an additional 5% were confirmed. With >90% of all GC-positive NAATs being confirmed, our results show that confirmatory testing is not warranted for these genital specimens.
C2 Fracture Subtypes, Incidence, and Treatment Allocation Change with Age: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 233 Consecutive Cases

The currently available data on the distribution of C2 fracture subtypes is sparse. This study was designed to identify the proportions of the second cervical vertebra (C2) fracture subtypes and to present age and gender specific incidences of subgroups. A dataset of all patients treated between 2002 and 2014 for C2 fractures was extracted from the regional hospital information system. C2 fractures were classified into odontoid fractures types 1, 2, and 3, Hangman's fractures types 1, 2, and 3, and atypical C2 fractures. 233 patients (female 51%, age 72 ± 19 years) were treated for a C2 fracture. Odontoid fractures were found in 183 patients, of which 2 were type 1, 127 type 2, and 54 type 3, while 26 of C2 fractures were Hangman's fractures and 24 were atypical C2 fractures. In the geriatric subgroup 89% of all C2 fractures were odontoid, of which 71% were type 2 and 29% type 3. There was an increasing incidence of odontoid fractures types 2 and 3 from 2002 to 2014. 40% of C2 fractures were treated surgically. This study presents reliable subset proportions of C2 fractures in a prospectively collected regional cohort. Knowledge of these proportions facilitates future epidemiological studies of C2 fractures.
EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF ETHANOL ON THE NERVOUS CONTROL OF MICTURITION THE ANALYSIS OF THE LINK BETWEEN THE CONCENTRATION OF ALCOHOL IN THE BLOOD AND THE VOLUME OF URINE IN THE BLADDER

Numerous biochemical and electrophysiological studies have determined that the functions of certain receptors and ion channels for which the are in some way aff ected by ethanol . Some of these are involved in the neural control of micturition, and it is therefore possible that ethanol induces urinary retention. Th e aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between the concentration of alcohol in the blood and the volume of urine in the bladder measured during autopsy. Th e study was based on autopsy protocol data from 702 people. Th e inclusion criteria were age not exceeding 50 years and a blood alcohol level of at least 0.5 parts per thousand. A correlation between the blood alcohol concentration and a bladder urine volume over 200 ml can be portrayed as part of a range limited by curves asymptotically converging at a value of 3 per mil. Th is phenomenon may be explained by the eff ect that alcohol has on receptors involved in the micturition refl ex, which should typically be engaged at approximately 200 ml of urine in the bladder. Th e lower limit of this range can be explained by GABA-A stimulation as well as the inhibition of NMDA receptors or by decreasing infl ux through calcium channels. Both of these eff ects inhibit the micturition refl ex. However, the upper limit, which indicates reduced urine retention, may be caused by the action of high concentrations of ethanol at the ends of the adrenergic fi bres, causing their dysfunction, or by changes in the intracellular calcium ion concentration.
SPITZER 70 AND 160 μm OBSERVATIONS OF THE COSMOS FIELD

We present Spitzer 70 and 160 μm observations of the COSMOS Spitzer survey (S-COSMOS). The data processing techniques are discussed for the publicly released products consisting of images and source catalogs. We present accurate 70 and 160 μm source counts of the COSMOS field and find reasonable agreement with measurements in other fields and with model predictions. The previously reported counts for GOODS-North and the extragalactic First Look Survey are updated with the latest calibration, and counts are measured based on the large area SWIRE survey to constrain the bright source counts. We measure an extragalactic confusion noise level of σc = 9.4 ± 3.3 mJy (q = 5) for the MIPS 160 μm band based on the deep S-COSMOS data and report an updated confusion noise level of σc = 0.35 ± 0.15 mJy (q = 5) for the MIPS 70 μm band.
A Prospective Study of Dietary Patterns and Mortality in Chinese Women

Background: Many foods and nutrients have been suggested to influence life expectancy. However, previous studies have not examined the relationship between dietary patterns and cause-specific mortality. Our study prospectively examines the relationship of dietary patterns with total mortality and cause-specific mortality in a population-based cohort study of Chinese women. Methods: The Shanghai Women's Health Study is a population-based cohort study of 74,942 women age 40 to 70 years at the time of recruitment (September 1996 to May 2000). Detailed dietary information was collected using a validated, quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The cohort has been followed using a combination of in-person interviews and record linkage with various registries. Dietary patterns, derived from principal component analysis, were examined for their relation to total mortality and cause-specific mortality using Cox regression models. Results: After an average of 5.7 years of follow-up (423,717 person-years of observation), there were 1565 deaths. We derived 3 major dietary patterns (vegetable-rich, fruit-rich, and meat-rich). The adjusted hazard ratios for the fruit-rich diet were 0.94 (95% CI = 0.89–0.98) for all causes of death and 0.89 (0.81–0.99), 0.79 (0.69–0.91), and 0.51 (0.39–0.65) for death caused by cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes, respectively. The meat-rich diet was associated with increased risk of diabetes (HR = 1.18; 95% CI = 0.98–1.42) and a slightly elevated risk of total mortality. Conclusion: In general, a fruit-rich diet was related to lower mortality, whereas a meat-rich diet appeared to increase the probability of death.
The Effect of Intermittent Umbilical Cord Occlusion on Elastin Composition in the Ovine Fetus

This study aimed to determine the effect of varying degrees of intermittent umbilical cord occlusion (UCO) on arterial elastin composition. Over 4 days, chronically catheterized late gestation fetal sheep received 5 total UCO per day lasting 1 min/h (mild group: n = 6), 2 min/h (moderate group: n = 4), 3 min/h (severe group; n = 6); or no occlusion (control group: n = 7). Each group was evaluated for elastin content of the carotid and superior mesenteric artery (SMA), the arterial pressure response to UCO, and plasma cortisol concentration. Elastin content of the carotid artery was significantly increased by severe UCO (9.5 µg/mg versus 6.4 µg/mg; P < .05) and insignificantly increased in mild and moderate groups, whereas UCO had no effect on elastin content of the SMA. This dose- and site-dependent response of the vasculature appears attributable to the hemodynamic changes that accompany UCO.