Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chronic Pain in the Japanese Community—Prevalence, Characteristics and Impact on Quality of Life

Background Chronic pain is recognized as a public health problem that affects the general population physically, psychologically, and socially. However, there is little knowledge about the associated factors of chronic pain, such as the influence of weather, family structure, daily exercise, and work status. Objectives This survey had three aims: 1) to estimate the prevalence of chronic pain in Japan, 2) to analyze these associated factors, and 3) to evaluate the social burden due to chronic pain. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional postal survey in a sample of 6000 adults aged ≥20 years. The response rate was 43.8%. Results The mean age of the respondents was 57.7 years (range 20–99 years); 39.3% met the criteria for chronic pain (lasting ≥3 months). Approximately a quarter of the respondents reported that their chronic pain was adversely influenced by bad weather and also oncoming bad weather. Risk factors for chronic pain, as determined by a logistic regression model, included being an older female, being unemployed, living alone, and no daily exercise. Individuals with chronic pain showed significantly lower quality of life and significantly higher psychological distress scores than those without chronic pain. The mean annual duration of absence from work of working-age respondents was 9.6 days (range 1–365 days). Conclusions Our findings revealed that high prevalence and severity of chronic pain, associated factors, and significant impact on quality of life in the adult Japanese population. A detailed understanding of factors associated with chronic pain is essential for establishing a management strategy for primary care.
Isolation of human cDNAs for asparagine synthetase and expression in Jensen rat sarcoma cells

Asparagine synthetase cDNAs containing the complete coding region were isolated from a human fibroblast cDNA library. DNA sequence analysis of the clones showed that the message contained one open reading frame encoding a protein of 64,400 Mr, 184 nucleotides of 5' untranslated region, and 120 nucleotides of 3' noncoding sequence. Plasmids containing the asparagine synthetase cDNAs were used in DNA-mediated transfer of genes into asparagine-requiring Jensen rat sarcoma cells. The cDNAs containing the entire protein-coding sequence expressed asparagine synthetase activity and were capable of conferring asparagine prototrophy on the Jensen rat sarcoma cells. However, cDNAs which lacked sequence for as few as 20 amino acids at the amino terminal could not rescue the cells from auxotrophy. The transferant cell lines contained multiple copies of the human asparagine synthetase cDNAs and produced human asparagine synthetase mRNA and asparagine synthetase protein. Several transferants with numerous copies of the cDNAs exhibited only basal levels of enzyme activity. Treatment of these transferant cell lines with 5-azacytidine greatly increased the expression of asparagine synthetase mRNA, protein, and activity.
Amphiphilic Poly[(propylene glycol)‐block‐(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline)] Copolymers for Gene Transfer in Skeletal Muscle

Amphiphilic triblock copolymers such as poly(ethylene glycol‐b‐propylene glycol‐b‐ethylene glycol) PE6400 (PEG13‐PPG30‐PEG13) have been recently shown to promote gene transfer in muscle. Herein we investigated the effect of a chemical change of the PEG moiety on the transfection activity of these compounds. We synthesized new amphiphilic copolymers in which the PEG end blocks are replaced by more hydrophilic poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) (PMeOxz) chains of various lengths. The resulting triblock PMeOxz‐PPG‐PMeOxz compounds were characterized by NMR, SEC, TGA, and DSC techniques and assayed for in vivo muscle gene transfer. The results confirm both the block structure and the monomer unit composition (DPPG/DPMeOxz) of the new PPG34‐PMeOxz41 and PPG34‐PMeOxz21 triblock copolymers. Furthermore, in vivo experiments show that these copolymers are able to significantly increase DNA transfection efficiency, despite the fact that their chemical nature and hydrophilic character are different from the poloxamers. Overall, these results show that the capacity to enhance DNA transfection in skeletal muscle is not restricted to PEG‐PPG‐PEG arrangements.
Identification of Cryptosporidium from Dairy Cattle in Pahang, Malaysia

Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite, can cause cryptosporidiosis which is a gastrointestinal disease that can infect humans and livestock. Cattle are the most common livestock that can be infected with this protozoan. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia and to find out the association between the occurrence of infection and 3 different ages of cattle (calves less than 1 year, yearling, and adult cattle). The samples were processed by using formol-ether concentration technique and stained by modified Ziehl Neelsen. The results showed that 15.9% (24/151) of cattle were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium in calves less than 1 year was the highest with the percentage of 20.0% (11/55) followed by yearling and adult cattle, with the percentage occurrence of 15.6 % (7/45) and 11.8% (6/51), respectively. There was no significant association between the occurrence and age of cattle and presence of diarrhea. Good management practices and proper hygiene management must be taken in order to reduce the infection. It is highly important to control the infection since infected cattle may serve as potential reservoirs of the infection to other animals and humans, especially animal handlers.
Large Y chromosome (Yq+) and increased risk of abortion

Previous reports have indicated an association between Yq+ in the family and increased risk of abortion. In a chromosome investigation of 11,148 consecutively newborn children, we found 58 boys with a large Y chromosome (Y/F ≥ 1.00). The mothers of these boys had 22 % abortions, compared with 13 % among 4,895 mothers of children with normal karyotypes and without Yq+ (P < 0.001).
Enzymatic digestibility and pretreatment degradation products of AFEX‐treated hardwoods (Populus nigra)

There is a growing need to find alternatives to crude oil as the primary feed stock for the chemicals and fuel industry and ethanol has been demonstrated to be a viable alternative. Among the various feed stocks for producing ethanol, poplar (Populus nigra × Populus maximowiczii) is considered to have great potential as a biorefinery feedstock in the United States, due to their widespread availability and good productivity in several parts of the country. We have optimized AFEX pretreatment conditions (180°C, 2:1 ammonia to biomass loading, 233% moisture, 30 minutes residence time) and by using various combinations of enzymes (commercical celluloses and xylanases) to achieve high glucan and xylan conversion (93 and 65%, respectively). We have also identified and quantified several important degradation products formed during AFEX using liquid chromatography followed by mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). As a part of degradation product analysis, we have also quantified oligosaccharides in the AFEX water wash extracts by acid hydrolysis. It is interesting to note that corn stover (C4 grass) can be pretreated effectively using mild AFEX pretreatment conditions, while on the other hand hardwood poplar requires much harsher AFEX conditions to obtain equivalent sugar yields upon enzymatic hydrolysis. Comparing corn stover and poplar, we conclude that pretreatment severity and enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency are dictated to a large extent by lignin carbohydrate complexes and arabinoxylan cross‐linkages for AFEX. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 2009
Estimating and Modelling Bias of the Hierarchical Partitioning Public-Domain Software: Implications in Environmental Management and Conservation

Background Hierarchical partitioning (HP) is an analytical method of multiple regression that identifies the most likely causal factors while alleviating multicollinearity problems. Its use is increasing in ecology and conservation by its usefulness for complementing multiple regression analysis. A public-domain software “hier.part package” has been developed for running HP in R software. Its authors highlight a “minor rounding error” for hierarchies constructed from >9 variables, however potential bias by using this module has not yet been examined. Knowing this bias is pivotal because, for example, the ranking obtained in HP is being used as a criterion for establishing priorities of conservation. Methodology/Principal Findings Using numerical simulations and two real examples, we assessed the robustness of this HP module in relation to the order the variables have in the analysis. Results indicated a considerable effect of the variable order on the amount of independent variance explained by predictors for models with >9 explanatory variables. For these models the nominal ranking of importance of the predictors changed with variable order, i.e. predictors declared important by its contribution in explaining the response variable frequently changed to be either most or less important with other variable orders. The probability of changing position of a variable was best explained by the difference in independent explanatory power between that variable and the previous one in the nominal ranking of importance. The lesser is this difference, the more likely is the change of position. Conclusions/Significance HP should be applied with caution when more than 9 explanatory variables are used to know ranking of covariate importance. The explained variance is not a useful parameter to use in models with more than 9 independent variables. The inconsistency in the results obtained by HP should be considered in future studies as well as in those already published. Some recommendations to improve the analysis with this HP module are given.
End-Tidal CO2 Detection of an Audible Heart Rate During Neonatal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation After Asystole in Asphyxiated Piglets

Even brief interruption of cardiac compressions significantly reduces critical coronary perfusion pressure during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). End-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) monitoring may provide a continuous noninvasive method of assessing return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) without stopping to auscultate for heart rate (HR). However, the ETCO2 value that correlates with an audible HR is unknown. Our objective was to determine the threshold ETCO2 that is associated with ROSC after asphyxia-induced asystole. Neonatal swine (n = 46) were progressively asphyxiated until asystole occurred. Resuscitation followed current neonatal guidelines with initial ventilation with 100% O2 followed by cardiac compressions followed by epinephrine for continued asystole. HR was auscultated every 30 s, and ETCO2 was continuously recorded. A receiver operator curve was generated using the calculated sensitivity and specificity for various ETCO2 values, where a positive test was defined as the presence of HR >60 bpm by auscultation. An ETCO2 cut-off value of 14 mm Hg is the most sensitive ETCO2 value with the least false positives. When using ETCO2 to guide uninterrupted CPR in this model of asphyxia-induced asystole, auscultative confirmation of return of an adequate HR should be performed when ETCO2 ≥14 mm Hg is achieved. Correlation during human neonatal CPR needs further investigation.
Water Availability Is the Main Climate Driver of Neotropical Tree Growth

• Climate models for the coming century predict rainfall reduction in the Amazonian region, including change in water availability for tropical rainforests. Here, we test the extent to which climate variables related to water regime, temperature and irradiance shape the growth trajectories of neotropical trees. • We developed a diameter growth model explicitly designed to work with asynchronous climate and growth data. Growth trajectories of 205 individual trees from 54 neotropical species censused every 2 months over a 4-year period were used to rank 9 climate variables and find the best predictive model. • About 9% of the individual variation in tree growth was imputable to the seasonal variation of climate. Relative extractable water was the main predictor and alone explained more than 60% of the climate effect on tree growth, i.e. 5.4% of the individual variation in tree growth. Furthermore, the global annual tree growth was more dependent on the diameter increment at the onset of the rain season than on the duration of dry season. • The best predictive model included 3 climate variables: relative extractable water, minimum temperature and irradiance. The root mean squared error of prediction (0.035 mm.d –1) was slightly above the mean value of the growth (0.026 mm.d –1). • Amongst climate variables, we highlight the predominant role of water availability in determining seasonal variation in tree growth of neotropical forest trees and the need to include these relationships in forest simulators to test, in silico, the impact of different climate scenarios on the future dynamics of the rainforest.
Acceptance of learning management system: A comparison between distance learners and instructors

Distance learning increases access to learning opportunities to the people in different geographical areas, ages and different learning capabilities. Learning management system (LMS) is a web-based tool used to manage implement, and assess online learning and teaching which is suitable for distance environment. LMS provides instructors a platform to create and deliver the course content, assess learners performance and monitor learner involvement. On the other hand, LMS provide the students with ability to access lecture notes, and use communication and interactive features in their learning activities. This study examined the factors that influence distance learning student’s and instructor’s acceptance and use of LMS and tests the applicability of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A survey was conducted to higher education students and instructors who involved in distance learning instruction. This study used a set of questionnaire which was developed based on TAM three factors which are Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use and Behavioral Intention to Use. The finding of the survey has shown high acceptance level on LMS among distance learners and instructors. In addition, a regression analysis has revealed that perceived ease of use of the system give a significant impact on perceived usefulness. Furthermore, the Perceived Usefulness of the LMS has led to high Behavioral Intention to Use more than Perceived Ease of Use of LMS among learners. On the other hand, Perceived Ease of Use influences the instructor Behavioral Intention to Use of LMS more than Perceived Usefulness. In addition, the analysis also confirmed that Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness have positive effect on Behavioral Intention to Use in both users.
Seasonal Patterns of Aster Leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Abundance and Aster Yellows Phytoplasma Infectivity in Wisconsin Carrot Fields

ABSTRACT In Wisconsin, vegetable crops are threatened annually by the aster yellows phytoplasma (AYp), which is obligately transmitted by the aster leafhopper. Using a multiyear, multilocation data set, seasonal patterns of leafhopper abundance and infectivity were modeled. A seasonal aster yellows index (AYI) was deduced from the model abundance and infectivity predictions to represent the expected seasonal risk of pathogen transmission by infectious aster leafhoppers. The primary goal of this study was to identify periods of time during the growing season when crop protection practices could be targeted to reduce the risk of AYp spread. Based on abundance and infectivity, the annual exposure of the carrot crop to infectious leafhoppers varied by 16- and 70-fold, respectively. Together, this corresponded to an estimated 1,000-fold difference in exposure to infectious leafhoppers. Within a season, exposure of the crop to infectious aster leafhoppers (Macrosteles quadrilineatus Forbes), varied threefold because of abundance and ninefold because of infectivity. Periods of above average aster leafhopper abundance occurred between 11 June and 2 August and above average infectivity occurred between 27 May and 13 July. A more comprehensive description of the temporal trends of aster leafhopper abundance and infectivity provides new information defining when the aster leafhopper moves into susceptible crop fields and when they transmit the pathogen to susceptible crops.
Parallel sparse polynomial multiplication using heaps

We present a high performance algorithm for multiplying sparse distributed polynomials using a multicore processor. Each core uses a heap of pointers to multiply parts of the polynomials using its local cache. Intermediate results are written to buffers in shared cache and the cores take turns combining them to form the result. A cooperative approach is used to balance the load and improve scalability, and the extra cache from each core produces a superlinear speedup in practice. We present benchmarks comparing our parallel routine to a sequential version and to the routines of other computer algebra systems.
A Toolbox for Rapid Quantitative Assessment of Chronological Lifespan and Survival in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a well‐established model organism to study the mechanisms of longevity. One of the two aging paradigms studied in yeast is termed chronological lifespan (CLS). CLS is defined by the amount of time non‐dividing yeast cells can survive at stationary phase. Here, we propose new approaches that allow rapid and efficient quantification of survival rates in aging yeast cultures using either a fluorescent cell counter or microplate imaging. We have generated a software called analysr (Analytical Algorithm for Yeast Survival Rates) that allows automated and highly reproducible analysis of cell survival in aging yeast cultures using fluorescent data. To demonstrate the efficiency of our new experimental tools, we tested the previously characterized ability of caloric restriction to extend lifespan. Interestingly, we found that this process is independent of the expression of three central yeast heat shock proteins (Hsp26, Hsp42, Hsp104). Finally, our new assay is easily adaptable to other types of toxicity studies. Here, we assessed the toxicity of various concentrations of acetic acid, a known contributor of yeast chronological aging. These assays provide researchers with cost‐effective, low‐ and high‐content assays that can serve as an efficient complement to the time‐consuming colony forming unit assay usually used in CLS studies.
Analyzing and Predicting Community Preference of Socially Generated Metadata: A Case Study on Comments in the Digg Community

Large-scale socially-generated metadata is one of the key features driving the growth and success of the emerging Social Web. Recently there have been many research efforts to study the quality of this metadata that relies on quality assessments made by human experts external to a Social Web community. We are interested in studying how an online community itself perceives the relative quality of its own user-contributed content, which has important implications for the successful self-regulation and growth of the Social Web. To this end, we study the community preference for user-contributed comments on the social news aggregator Digg. In our analysis, we study several factors impacting community preference. We propose a learning-based approach for predicting the community's preference rating of unseen comments, which can be used to promote high-quality comments and filter out low-quality comments based on the community's expressed preferences.
Evolution of Biological Complexity

To make a case for or against a trend in the evolution of complexity in biological evolution, complexity needs to be both rigorously defined and measurable. A recent information-theoretic (but intuitively evident) definition identifies genomic complexity with the amount of information a sequence stores about its environment. We investigate the evolution of genomic complexity in populations of digital organisms and monitor in detail the evolutionary transitions that increase complexity. We show that, because natural selection forces genomes to behave as a natural "Maxwell Demon," within a fixed environment, genomic complexity is forced to increase.
Trauma with Injury Severity Score of 75: Are These Unsurvivable Injuries?

Trauma patients with an ISS=75 have been deliberately excluded from some trauma studies because they were assumed to have "unsurvivable injuries. " This study aimed to assess the true mortality among patients with an ISS=75, and to examine the characteristics and primary diagnoses of these patients. Retrospective review of the 2006-2010 U.S. Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) generated 2,815 patients with an ISS=75 for analysis, representing an estimated 13,569 patients in the country. Dispositions from the emergency department and hospital for these patients were tabulated by trauma center level. Survivors and non-survivors were compared using Pearson's chi-square test. Primary diagnosis codes of these patients were tabulated by mortality status. Overall, about 48.6% of patients with an ISS=75 were discharged alive, 25.8% died and 25.6% had unknown mortality status. The mortality risks of these patients did not vary significantly across different levels of trauma centers (15.6% vs. 13.0%, P = 0.16). Non-survivors were more likely than survivors to: be male (81.2% vs. 74.4%, P < 0.0001), be over 65 years (20.3% vs. 10.2%, P < 0.0001), be uninsured (33.8% vs. 19.1%), have at least one chronic condition (58.0% vs. 43.7%, P <0.0001), sustain life-threatening injuries (79.2% vs. 49.4%, P<0.0001), sustain penetrating injuries (42.0% vs. 25.9%, P<0.0001), and have injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes (32.9% vs. 21.1%, P<0.0001) or firearms (21.9% vs. 4.4%, P<0.0001). The most frequent diagnosis code was 862.8 (injury to multiple and unspecified intrathoracic organs, without mention of open wound into cavity). Our results revealed that at least half of patients with an ISS=75 survived, demonstrating that the rationale for excluding patients with an ISS=75 from analysis is not always justified. To avoid bias and inaccurate results, trauma researchers should examine the mortality status of patients with an ISS=75 before exclusion, and explicitly describe their method of generating ISS scores.
Output Tracking Control of PWA Systems

In this paper, an observer-based output-feedback control design solving the tracking problem for continuous piecewise affine (PWA) systems is proposed. The design of the dynamic controller is based on the idea of, on the one hand, rendering the system convergent by means of feedback (which makes all its solutions converge to each other) and, on the other hand, guaranteeing that the closed-loop system has a bounded solution corresponding to zero tracking error. This implies that all solutions of the closed-loop system converge to this bounded solution with zero tracking error. Using this synthesis approach, we solve the state tracking problem for general continuous PWA systems and the output tracking problem for a class of single-input-single-output PWA systems. The results are illustrated by application to mechanical systems with one-sided restoring characteristics and backlash
Sobolev-type approximation rates for divergence-free and curl-free RBF interpolants

Recently, error estimates have been made available for divergence-free radial basis function (RBF) interpolants. However, these results are only valid for functions within the associated reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) of the matrix-valued RBF. Functions within the associated RKHS, also known as the "native space" of the RBF, can be characterized as vector fields having a specific smoothness, making the native space quite small. In this paper we develop Sobolev-type error estimates when the target function is less smooth than functions in the native space.