Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasma zinc concentrations of mothers and the risk of nonsyndromic oral clefts in their children: a case-control study in the Philippines.

BACKGROUND Findings from animal experiments suggest a link between poor maternal zinc status and increased risk of oral clefts in offspring; however, there are few human studies on this issue. METHODS A case-control study was conducted using 74 case mothers of children with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P, n=57) or cleft palate alone (CP, n=17), and 283 control mothers of unaffected children recruited in the Philippines in early 2003. Maternal zinc status was assessed by determining plasma zinc concentrations a mean of 5 years after delivery of the index child. Odds ratios (ORs) of estimates of the relative risk of oral clefts were calculated for quartiles of maternal plasma zinc concentrations. RESULTS The mean plasma zinc concentration of CL/P case mothers (9.6+/-1.2, SD micromol/l) was significantly lower than that in control mothers (10.1+/-1.6 micromol/l; P<0.05). Low plasma zinc concentrations (<11.0 micromol/l) were found in 88% and 94% of CL/P and CP case mothers, respectively, and in 72% of controls (P<0.05). The ORs for CL/P and CP combined, adjusted for potential confounding factors, decreased with increasing quartile of plasma zinc as follows: 1.0 (lowest quartile reference), 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.37-1.89), 0.70 (0.31-1.68), and 0.26 (0.10-0.70) (P trend=0.008). CONCLUSIONS Low plasma zinc concentrations were common in Filipino women of reproductive age, and higher plasma zinc concentrations were associated with a lower risk for oral clefts in their children.
Inverse correlation between peritoneal fluid leptin concentrations and the extent of endometriosis.

BACKGROUND The role of leptin in reproductive processes has received increasing attention. Because leptin has intrinsic angiogenic properties, may be induced by inflammatory cytokines and induces matrix metalloproteinases, we examined peritoneal fluid (PF) leptin concentrations in women with endometriosis. METHODS PF samples were collected from 60 women undergoing laparoscopy for endometriosis, and 18 controls undergoing tubal sterilization. Fifty of the women with endometriosis had received no prior hormonal treatment, while 10 with moderate- severe endometriosis were using GnRH agonists. RESULTS Women with untreated endometriosis had significantly higher (mean +/- SD) PF leptin levels (34.9 +/- 7.9 ng/ml) than controls (17.9 +/- 4.1 ng/ml; P < 0.001). However, PF leptin levels were inversely correlated with the stage of disease (r = -0.62; P < 0.001). Nevertheless, women with stage III-IV endometriosis maintained significantly higher PF leptin levels (26.3 +/- 4.8 ng/ml; P < 0.001) than controls. Although PF leptin levels were significantly higher in the secretory versus proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle, they remained higher in both phases in women with untreated endometriosis. PF leptin levels in women on GnRH agonists were similar to controls. CONCLUSIONS PF leptin levels are elevated in women with endometriosis, but inversely correlated with extent of disease. These findings suggest a potential role for leptin in the pathogenesis of peritoneal endometriosis.
Coal, Smoke, and Death: Bituminous Coal and American Home Heating

Air pollution was severe in many urban areas of the United States in the first half of the twentieth century, in part due to the burning of bituminous coal for heat. We estimate the effects of this bituminous coal consumption on mortality rates in the U.S. during the mid-20th century. Coal consumption varied considerably during the 20th century due to coal-labor strikes, wartime oil and gas restrictions, and the expansion of gas pipelines, among other reasons. To mitigate the influence of confounding factors, we use a triple-differences identification strategy that relies on variation in coal consumption at the state-year-season level. It exploits the fact that coal consumption for heating was highest in the winter and uses within-state changes in mortality in non-winter months as an additional control group. Our estimates suggest that reductions in the use of bituminous coal for heating between 1945 and 1960 decreased winter all-age mortality by 1.25 percent and winter infant mortality by 3.27 percent, saving 1,923 all age lives per winter month and 310 infant lives per winter month. Our estimates are likely to be a lower bound, since they primarily capture short-run relationships between coal and mortality.
Turning in Parkinson's disease patients and controls: The effect of auditory cues

Turning is an impaired activity in persons with Parkinson's disease (PwPD). The current study examines the turning characteristics in PwPD (9 freezers and 10 nonfreezers) and 9 controls, and explores the effect of rhythmic auditory cues while turning. Turning parameters were collected from a 180° left U‐turn during a noncued and a cued condition, using a 3D measuring system. Auditory cues were supplied with a metronome at a rhythm equaling the subject's comfortable step frequency during straight line walking. Results showed that in contrast to controls, PwPD used a wider turning‐arc and took smaller, narrower steps. In addition, they demonstrated a higher Coefficient of Variation (CV) of step duration (6.92%) compared to controls (4.88%, P < 0.05). The “wide‐arc” turning strategy of PwPD was more prominent in freezers than in nonfreezers. Auditory cues reduced the CV of step duration in PwPD (both freezers and nonfreezers) during turning (from 6.92 to 6.00%, P < 0.05). In summary: Cueing reduced the gait‐timing variability during turning, but PwPD maintained a wider arc to turn compared with controls. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Comparison of In Vivo Confocal Microscopy, Ultrasonic Pachymetry, and Scheimpflug Topography for Measuring Central Corneal Thickness.

IMPORTANCE In vivo confocal microscopy could be useful in cases of fungal or acanthamoeba keratitis to determine the depth of infectious elements, but its accuracy in determining corneal thickness relative to more traditional techniques has not been well characterized. OBSERVATIONS In this cross-sectional observational case series, central corneal thickness was determined by in vivo confocal microscopy, ultrasonic pachymetry, and Scheimpflug topography in 47 normal corneas and 23 keratoconic corneas from November 2014 to July 2015. Analyses undertaken from July 2015 to August 2015 showed that confocal microscopy overestimated the central corneal thickness in nonkeratoconic eyes, measuring on average 5 μm thicker (95% limits of agreement [LoA], 54-64) than ultrasonic pachymetry and 14 μm thicker (95% LoA, 47-76) than Scheimpflug topography. The bias was more pronounced in keratoconic eyes, where confocal microscopy overestimated central corneal thickness by 50 μm relative to ultrasonic pachymetry (95% LoA, 77-178) and 52 μm relative to Scheimpflug topography (95% LoA, 69-174). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Confocal microscopy overestimated central corneal thickness relative to the other instruments, but the magnitude of the differences were small, especially in nonkeratoconic eyes. This level of measurement bias is acceptable to us for determining the depth of fungal filaments and acanthamoeba cysts in infectious keratitis.
Variability and consistency of electric and magnetic field occupational exposure measurements.

There is widespread scientific and public interest in possible health effects from exposure to electric and magnetic fields at frequencies associated with electricity use. Electric and magnetic field exposure assessment presents specific problems, among which are the inherent variability in exposure, the lack of robust statistical summary measures, and the lack of an accepted metric based on biological response. These pose challenges in defining distinct exposure groups, a basic goal for exposure assessments used in epidemiological studies. This paper explores the extent to which distinct electric and magnetic field exposure groups can be defined, by examining the variability and consistency of occupational electric and magnetic field exposure measurements among studies and within individual studies. Principal analyses are made by job titles because they are the most frequently used descriptors for stratifying occupational exposures to electric and magnetic fields. Methodological issues affecting the degree of consistency in measured electric and magnetic field exposures among occupational environments are also examined. Exposures by job title reported from electric and magnetic field measurement studies are summarized by general job category and industry. Analyses are performed both within and between job categories. Distributions of daily measured exposures for job categories taken from three large studies in the U.S. electric utility industry are compared to investigate consistency of exposures at a more detailed level. Analyses of reported personal exposure measurements from many studies and countries are consistent with less rigorous observations made heretofore on the basis of individual studies. In these studies, significantly elevated electric and magnetic field exposures are found in the electrician, lineworker, and substation worker categories; significantly elevated magnetic field exposures are also noted in the generation worker category; and magnetic field exposures in these groups are consistent across countries. Analyses within and among the elevated exposure job categories indicate that there are no significant differences between them. Among the studies, it is not possible to distinguish between exposures for well-defined groups within the categories, such as between transmission lineworkers and distribution lineworkers in the lineworker category; between generation operators and generation mechanics; or between substation operators and substation maintenance workers. This information provides a context for past studies and will help future efforts to define distinct occupational exposure groups exposed to electric and magnetic fields. Compilations of measured personal exposure data by industry and job title have been prepared as appendices (available from the author upon request).
Dynamic Properties of the Solow Model with Bounded Technological Progress and Time-to-Build Technology

We introduce a time-to-build technology in a Solow model with bounded technological progress. Our analysis shows that the system may be asymptotically stable, or it can produce stability switches and Hopf bifurcations when time delay varies. The direction and the stability criteria of the bifurcating periodic solutions are obtained by the normal form theory and the center manifold theorem. Numerical simulations confirms the theoretical results.
2 Collective Foraging with Adaptation

In this paper, we extend a macroscopic probabilistic model o f a swarm of foraging robots from the homogeneous to the heterogeneous case. In the swarm , e ch robot is capable of adjusting its searching time and resting time thresholds following the ru l s described in our previous paper [1]. In order to model the difference between robots, private/publ ic resting time and searching time thresholds are introduced, a number of equations are then developed to w ork out the relationship between these private time thresholds and public time thresholds based on previously developed difference equations [2]. The extended macroscopic probabilistic model has been t sted using the simulation tools Player/Stage. The results from the macroscopic probabilistic m odel match with those from the simulation with reasonable accuracy, not only in the final net energy of t he swarm but also in the instantaneous net energy. Although the model is specific to adaptive foragi ng, we believe the methodology can be extended to other systems in which the heterogeneity of the s yst m is coupled with its time parameters.
A scoping review of qualitative research in peer-reviewed dental publications.

OBJECTIVES Qualitative research designs are being used increasingly in dental research. This paper describes the extent and range of dental research in which qualitative methods have been employed as well as the techniques of data collection and analysis preferred by dental researchers. METHODS A scoping review was conducted to locate studies published in dental journals, which reported the use of qualitative methods. Data concerning the focus of the research and the reported qualitative techniques were extracted. RESULTS Studies included in the review totalled 197. The majority of qualitative research captured in this scoping study focussed on three main areas: dental education, professional dental and dental educators' activities and experiences and the patient/public perceptions. Interviews and focus group discussions were the most commonly selected techniques for data collection. CONCLUSIONS The majority of the studies included in the scoping review had a focus on education of dental professionals the activities of dental professionals or the reported perceptions of or experiences with dental services by patients or members of the public. Little research was located, which explored peoples' personal experience of dental conditions. Research reported in dental publications has a heavy bias towards the use of focus groups and interview data collection techniques.
A commercial movement modelling strategy for Alberta’s major cities

In recognition of the expected benefits to transportation planning, a system for modelling commercial movements is being developed in a joint effort involving the Cities of Edmonton and Calgary and Alberta Transportation. This effort includes an extensive set of surveys considering commercial movements. Interviews were conducted at business establishments and with vehicle drivers in the two urban areas in order to provide observations of relevant behaviour required for establishing a more complete understanding of the nature of this component of travel and for model development and calibration. The system of models incorporates a novel agent-based micro-simulation framework, using a tour-based approach, based on what has been learned from the data. It accounts for truck routes, responds to truck restrictions and related policy and provides insight into commercial vehicle movements. All commercial vehicle types are represented, including light vehicles used for commercial purposes (pick-ups, vans and passenger cars), heavier single unit and multi-unit configurations and fleet vehicles (such as police cruisers, garbage trucks and government service and maintenance vehicles). This modelling system is being incorporated within the two EMME/2 models covering the Calgary and Edmonton Regions, with the micro-simulation processes being done in external Java applications. Some initial model results are available. For the covering abstract of this conference see ITRD number E211395.
Effectiveness of Polyacrylamide, Wood Shred Mulch, and Pine Needle Mulch as Post-Fire Hillslope Stabilization Treatments in Two Contrasting Volcanic Soils

Post-fire hillslope stabilization treatments aim to reduce runoff-erosion risks following forest fires by counteracting the impact of fire on key soil and hillslope properties. Here we evaluate the effectiveness of wood shred mulch, long-leaved pine needle mulch, and polyacrylamide (PAM) in reducing post-fire runoff and erosion in two volcanic soil types of contrasting wettability using rainfall simulations (55 mm h−1 for 30 min) at the microplot (0.25 m2) scale. The cover provided by the wood shreds and pine needles led to a reduction of runoff and erosion in both the wettable—(62% and 92%, respectively, for wood shreds, and 55% and 87%, respectively, for needle mulch) and the extremely water-repellent soils (44% and 61%, respectively, for wood shreds). In contrast to what might be expected, PAM did not reduce runoff or erosion when applied to the extremely water-repellent soils, suggesting that PAM should not be applied in this terrain type. Although more research is needed to determine whether the high effectiveness of pine needle mulch and wood shred mulch fully translates to coarser scales, the results are encouraging in terms of these materials’ ability to provide effective and relatively economic mitigation treatments for fire-induced runoff-erosion risks in volcanic soils.
Organosilica Particles for DNA Screening Applications

Particle-based libraries for chemical screening are of interest for robust biochemical assays and molecular diagnostic applications. Silica particles are chemically stable and possess two separate chemical modification pathways that facilitate the attachment of fluorescent dyes for encoding purposes and specific oligonucleotides for hybridization assays. Characterization of surface modifications of the particles are presented and quantitation of oligonucleotide probes on the particle surface is described. The application of the particles in biological screening experiments is presented by means of a single base mismatch detection assay.
Exercise following a short immobilization period is detrimental to tendon properties and joint mechanics in a rat rotator cuff injury model

Rotator cuff tears are a common clinical problem that can result in pain and disability. Previous studies in a rat model showed enhanced tendon to bone healing with postoperative immobilization. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of postimmobilization activity level on insertion site properties and joint mechanics in a rat model. Our hypothesis was that exercise following a short period of immobilization will cause detrimental changes in insertion site properties compared to cage activity following the same period of immobilization, but that passive shoulder mechanics will not be affected. We detached and repaired the supraspinatus tendon of 22 Sprague‐Dawley rats, and the injured shoulder was immobilized postoperatively for 2 weeks. Following immobilization, rats were prescribed cage activity or exercise for 12 weeks. Passive shoulder mechanics were determined, and following euthansia, tendon cross‐sectional area and mechanical properties were measured. Exercise following immobilization resulted in significant decreases compared to cage activity in range of motion, tendon stiffness, modulus, percent relaxation, and several parameters from both a structurally based elastic model and a quasi‐linear viscoelastic model. Therefore, we conclude that after a short period of immobilization, increased activity is detrimental to both tendon mechanical properties and shoulder joint mechanics, presumably due to increased scar production. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:841–845, 2010
Coevolution of Patch Selection Strategies of Predator and Prey and the Consequences for Ecological Stability

In a seminal publication Hassell and May demonstrated that sufficiently uneven spatial distributions can stabilize predator-prey systems. In this article we investigate whether such spatial distributions (of either predators or prey) can be caused by behavior that is favored by natural selection. If selection operates on predators only, evolutionarily stable patch selection strategies (ESSs) will lead to predator aggregation, provided the prey are unevenly distributed. However, to render the ecological equilibrium stable, prey aggregation needs to be very strong. If selection operates at both trophic levels, then simultaneous ESSs will exist for predator and prey. Where patches are of equal quality (as is implicitly assumed in Hassell and May's model), the distributions of both predators and prey will be homogeneous, and ecological stability will vanish. Where patches differ, for example, in prey reproduction or survival, aggregated distributions of prey and predators will result. A stable ecological equilibrium is then possible, but only if there are many patches of marginal quality. This article shows that the combination of both evolutionary and ecological stability criteria not only allows one to test whether ecological theories are compatible with the theory of natural selection but may also lead to new insights, such as why low-quality patches may constitute a partial refuge for the prey.
RIPK3/Fas-Associated Death Domain Axis Regulates Pulmonary Immunopathology to Cryptococcal Infection Independent of Necroptosis

Fas-associated death domain (FADD) and receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) are multifunctional regulators of cell death and immune response. Using a mouse model of cryptococcal infection, the roles of FADD and RIPK3 in anti-cryptococcal defense were investigated. Deletion of RIPK3 alone led to increased inflammatory cytokine production in the Cryptococcus neoformans-infected lungs, but in combination with FADD deletion, it led to a robust Th1-biased response with M1-biased macrophage activation. Rather than being protective, these responses led to paradoxical C. neoformans expansion and rapid clinical deterioration in Ripk3−/− and Ripk3−/−Fadd−/− mice. The increased mortality of Ripk3−/− and even more accelerated mortality in Ripk3−/−Fadd−/− mice was attributed to profound pulmonary damage due to neutrophil-dominant infiltration with prominent upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This phenomenon was partially associated with selective alterations in the apoptotic frequency of some leukocyte subsets, such as eosinophils and neutrophils, in infected Ripk3−/−Fadd−/− mice. In conclusion, our study shows that RIPK3 in concert with FADD serve as physiological “brakes,” preventing the development of excessive inflammation and Th1 bias, which in turn contributes to pulmonary damage and defective fungal clearance. This novel link between the protective effect of FADD and RIPK3 in antifungal defense and sustenance of immune homeostasis may be important for the development of novel immunomodulatory therapies against invasive fungal infections.
Chronic Lowering of Blood Pressure by Carotid Baroreflex Activation: Mechanisms and Potential for Hypertension Therapy

Recent technical advances have renewed interest in device-based therapy for the treatment of drug-resistant hypertension. Findings from recent clinical trials regarding the efficacy of electric stimulation of the carotid sinus for the treatment of resistant hypertension are reviewed here. The main goal of this article, however, is to summarize the preclinical studies that have provided insight into the mechanisms that account for the chronic blood pressure–lowering effects of carotid baroreflex activation. Some of the mechanisms identified were predictable and confirmed by experimentation. Others have been surprising and controversial, and resolution will require further investigation. Although feasibility studies have been promising, firm conclusions regarding the value of this device-based therapy for the treatment of resistant hypertension awaits the results of current multicenter trials.
A cognition-based interactive game platform for learning Chinese characters

Evidence observed in classrooms and findings reported in neurolinguistic research have suggested that awareness of the correspondence between graphemes and phonemes in Chinese is instrumental for effective learning of Chinese characters. We collected and analyzed errors in written Chinese characters, and found that phonologically related factors also participated in a large proportion of the reported errors. To verify and evaluate the influence of the phonetic awareness on learning Chinese, we built interactive games for computer assisted learning of Chinese characters. A software tool was implemented to recommend Chinese characters that are phonetically or visually similar, and we applied this tool to assist the task of selecting useful characters in designing the games. We discuss the related findings of ours and the designs of the games, but results of the final evaluation will be available only in the oral presentation.