Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Burden of disease associated with alcohol use disorders in the United States.

BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorders (AUD) have long been considered to be some of the most disabling mental disorders; however, empirical data on the burden of disease associated with AUD have been sparse. The objective of this article is to quantify the burden of disease (in disability-adjusted life years [DALYs] lost), deaths, years of life lost due to premature mortality (YLL), and years of life lost due to disability (YLD) associated with AUD for the United States in 2005. METHODS Statistical modeling was based on epidemiological indicators derived from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Formal consistency analyses were applied. Risk relations were taken from recent meta-analyses and the disability weights from the burden of disease study of the National Institutes of Health. Monte Carlo simulations were used to derive confidence intervals. All analyses were performed by sex and age. Sensitivity analyses were undertaken on key indicators. RESULTS In the United States in 2005, 65,000 deaths, 1,152,000 YLL, 2,443,000 YLD, and 3,595,000 DALYs were associated with AUD. For individuals 18 years of age and older, AUD were associated with 3% of all deaths (5% for men and 1% for women), and 5% of all YLL (7% for men and 2% for women). The majority of the burden of disease associated with AUD stemmed from YLD, which accounted for 68% of DALYs associated with AUD (66% for men and 74% for women). The youngest age group had the largest proportion of DALYs associated with AUD stemming from YLD. CONCLUSIONS Using data from a large representative survey (checked for consistency) and by combining these data with the best available evidence, we found that AUD were associated with a larger burden of disease than previously estimated. To reduce this disease burden, implementation of prevention interventions and expansion of treatment are necessary.
Scanning physical interaction behavior of 3D objects

We describe a system for constructing computer models of several aspects of physical interaction behavior, by scanning the response of real objects. The behaviors we can successfully scan and model include deformation response, contact textures for interaction with force-feedback, and contact sounds. The system we describe uses a highly automated robotic facility that can scan behavior models of whole objects. We provide a comprehensive view of the modeling process, including selection of model structure, measurement, estimation, and rendering at interactive rates. The results are demonstrated with two examples: a soft stuffed toy which has significant deformation behavior, and a hard clay pot which has significant contact textures and sounds. The results described here make it possible to quickly construct physical interaction models of objects for applications in games, animation, and e-commerce.
Oxygen uptake of the human fetus at term

Objective. To measure oxygen uptake of term human fetuses and compare the values between those delivered vaginally following normal labor and those delivered by cesarean section before the onset of labor. Design. This was a prospective cross‐sectional study. Setting. University teaching hospital. Sample. Twenty healthy pregnant women at term (38–42 weeks) were included in this study. Among them, 10 were delivered by elective cesarean section and 10 had normal vaginal delivery. Methods. Umbilical vein volume blood flow was measured <24 hours before delivery. Immediately after delivery, the fetal weight was determined, and the umbilical venous and arterial blood samples were obtained. Blood gas analysis was performed and hemoglobin content was measured. Fetal oxygen uptake was calculated as a product of umbilical venous blood flow and the difference in the umbilical arterial and venous oxygen content. Results. We found that the mean oxygen uptake in human fetuses at term (median gestational age 39 weeks) to be 6.58 ml/min/kg (i.e. 0.29 mmol/min/kg). There was no significant difference in oxygen uptake between fetuses delivered following uncomplicated normal labor and those delivered by elective cesarean section before the onset of labor. Conclusion. Oxygen uptake of the appropriately grown normal human fetus at term is approximately 6.6 ml/kg/min and is not significantly affected by normal labor and delivery. Human fetuses tolerate intermittent reductions in uterine blood flow and oxygen supply associated with myometrial contractions during normal labor quite well.
Acute effects of resistance exercise and intermittent intense aerobic exercise on blood cell count and oxidative stress in trained middle-aged women

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of an intermittent intense aerobic exercise session and a resistance exercise session on blood cell counts and oxidative stress parameters in middle-aged women. Thirty-four women were selected and divided into three groups: RE group (performing 60 min of resistance exercises, N = 12), spinning group (performing 60 min of spinning, N = 12), and control group (not exercising regularly, N = 10). In both exercise groups, lymphocytes and monocytes decreased after 1-h recuperation (post-exercise) compared to immediately after exercise (P < 0.05). Immediately after exercise, in both exercised groups, a significant increase in TBARS (from 16.5 ± 2 to 25 ± 2 for the spinning group and from 18.6 ± 1 to 28.2 ± 3 nmol MDA/mL serum for the RE group) and protein carbonyl (from 1.0 ± 0.3 to 1.6 ± 0.2 for the spinning group and from 0.9 ± 0.2 to 1.5 ± 0.2 nmol/mg protein for the RE group) was observed (P < 0.05). A decrease in antioxidant activities (non-protein sulfhydryl, superoxide dismutase, catalase) was also demonstrated with a negative correlation between damage markers and antioxidant body defenses (P < 0.05). These results indicate that an acute bout of intermittent or anaerobic exercise induces immune suppression and increases the production of reactive oxygen species, causing oxidative stress in middle-aged and trained women. Furthermore, we demonstrated that trained women show improved antioxidant capacity and lower oxidative damage than sedentary ones, demonstrating the benefits of chronic regular physical activity.
Loss of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Triggers the Retrograde Response Extending Yeast Replicative Lifespan

In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, loss of mitochondrial DNA (rho0) can induce the retrograde response under appropriate conditions, resulting in increased replicative lifespan (RLS). Although the retrograde pathway has been extensively elaborated, the nature of the mitochondrial signal triggering this response has not been clear. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was severely reduced in rho0 compared to rho+ cells, and RLS was concomitantly extended. To examine the role of MMP in the retrograde response, MMP was increased in the rho0 strain by introducing a mutation in the ATP1 gene, and it was decreased in rho+ cells by deletion of COX4. The ATP1-111 mutation in rho0 cells partially restored the MMP and reduced mean RLS to that of rho+ cells. COX4 deletion decreased MMP in rho+ cells to a value intermediate between rho+ and rho0 cells and similarly increased RLS. The increase in expression of CIT2, the diagnostic gene for the retrograde response, seen in rho0 cells, was substantially suppressed in the presence of the ATP1-111 mutation. In contrast, CIT2 expression increased in rho+ cells on deletion of COX4. Activation of the retrograde response results in the translocation of the transcription factor Rtg3 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Rtg3–GFP translocation to the nucleus was directly observed in rho0 and rho+ cox4Δ cells, but it was blunted in rho0 cells with the ATP1-111 mutation. We conclude that a decrease in MMP is the signal that initiates the retrograde response and leads to increased RLS.
Role of Climate Variability in Modulating the Surface Water and Groundwater Interaction over the Southeast United States

AbstractThis paper presents an investigation of the role of climatic variability on interannual groundwater and streamflow variability in the southeast United States. For this purpose, streamflow and associated groundwater levels are analyzed for 20 basins that are minimally affected by reservoirs and groundwater pumping. Using the spatially averaged monthly precipitation time series obtained from the Precipitation-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM), this paper identifies the recharge and discharge periods that influence the groundwater levels during the winter [January, February, March (JFM)] and summer [July, August, September (JAS)] seasons. Recharge-discharge dependency analyses indicate that precipitation during the previous 3 months influences the groundwater level in a given month. Streamflow in any given month depends on the groundwater level during the previous 3 months. Principal component analysis (PCA) on the precipitation, temperature, streamflow, and groundwater data i.
All-Optical Switching in Photonic Crystal Cavities

All-Optical switching in photonic crystal waveguide-cavity structures is studied predominantly theoretically and numerically, but also from an experimental point of view. We have calculated the first order perturbations to the resonance frequency and decay rate of cavity modes, using a mathematical framework that correctly takes into account the leaky nature of these modes. This represents the foundation for including nonlinearities into the temporal coupled mode theory, which is widely used to model the cavity-waveguide dynamics. In the experimental part of the thesis, we have considered both homodyne and heterodyne measurements of the cavity dynamics, as well as a comparison with the model developed from the perturbation theory mentioned above. The model was seen to provide a qualitative agreement with the experiments indicating that the relevant physical mechanisms are accounted for by the model. A considerable effort has been put into designing advanced structures with increased flexibility and the ability to avoid some of the difficulties in terms of experimental investigations mentioned above. This has resulted in e.g. the four port device, where the signal and pump are spatially separated. This device was fabricated and characterized by colleagues within the group, and it was shown to perform very well in terms of cross-talk between the signal and pump. Theoretical investigations as well as practical design proposals have resulted from a study of waveguide-cavity structures exhibiting Fano resonances. These devices were predicted to be superior to structures with the more well-known Lorentzian line shape in terms of energy consumption and switching contrast. Finally, the mathematical framework of optimal control theory was employed as a general setting, in which the optical properties of the input fields may be tailored to optimize various objectives, such as the cavity energy. A particular example showed how to adjust the amplitude and phase of the pump field to maximize the cavity energy in a given time interval. The results also revealed how to extract the cavity energy faster than the photon lifetime by utilizing interference effects. Mikkel Heuck March 31st 2013
Patient and Disease Characteristics Associated with Activation for Self-Management in Patients with Diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Heart Failure and Chronic Renal Disease: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

A substantial proportion of chronic disease patients do not respond to self-management interventions, which suggests that one size interventions do not fit all, demanding more tailored interventions. To compose more individualized strategies, we aim to increase our understanding of characteristics associated with patient activation for self-management and to evaluate whether these are disease-transcending. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted in primary and secondary care in patients with type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM-II), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) and Chronic Renal Disease (CRD). Using multiple linear regression analysis, we analyzed associations between self-management activation (13-item Patient Activation Measure; PAM-13) and a wide range of socio-demographic, clinical, and psychosocial determinants. Furthermore, we assessed whether the associations between the determinants and the PAM were disease-transcending by testing whether disease was an effect modifier. In addition, we identified determinants associated with low activation for self-management using logistic regression analysis. We included 1154 patients (53% response rate); 422 DM-II patients, 290 COPD patients, 223 HF patients and 219 CRD patients. Mean age was 69.6±10.9. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed 9 explanatory determinants of activation for self-management: age, BMI, educational level, financial distress, physical health status, depression, illness perception, social support and underlying disease, explaining a variance of 16.3%. All associations, except for social support, were disease transcending. This study explored factors associated with varying levels of activation for self-management. These results are a first step in supporting clinicians and researchers to identify subpopulations of chronic disease patients less likely to be engaged in self-management. Increased scientific efforts are needed to explain the greater part of the factors that contribute to the complex nature of patient activation for self-management.
Red5 and three nuclear pore components are essential for efficient suppression of specific mRNAs during vegetative growth of fission yeast

Zinc-finger domains are found in many nucleic acid-binding proteins in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Proteins carrying zinc-finger domains have important roles in various nuclear transactions, including transcription, mRNA processing and mRNA export; however, for many individual zinc-finger proteins in eukaryotes, the exact function of the protein is not fully understood. Here, we report that Red5 is involved in efficient suppression of specific mRNAs during vegetative growth of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Red5, which contains five C3H1-type zinc-finger domains, localizes to the nucleus where it forms discrete dots. A red5 point mutation, red5-2, results in the upregulation of specific meiotic mRNAs in vegetative mutant red5-2 cells; northern blot data indicated that these meiotic mRNAs in red5-2 cells have elongated poly(A) tails. RNA-fluorescence in situ hybridization results demonstrate that poly(A)+ RNA species accumulate in the nucleolar regions of red5-deficient cells. Moreover, Red5 genetically interacts with several mRNA export factors. Unexpectedly, three components of the nuclear pore complex also suppress a specific set of meiotic mRNAs. These results indicate that Red5 function is important to meiotic mRNA degradation; they also suggest possible connections among selective mRNA decay, mRNA export and the nuclear pore complex in vegetative fission yeast.
Visual Puzzles, Figure Weights, and Cancellation: Some Preliminary Hypotheses on the Functional and Neural Substrates of These Three New WAIS-IV Subtests

In this study, five consecutive patients with focal strokes and/or cortical excisions were examined with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and Wechsler Memory Scale—Fourth Editions along with a comprehensive battery of other neuropsychological tasks. All five of the lesions were large and typically involved frontal, temporal, and/or parietal lobes and were lateralized to one hemisphere. The clinical case method was used to determine the cognitive neuropsychological correlates of mental rotation (Visual Puzzles), Piagetian balance beam (Figure Weights), and visual search (Cancellation) tasks. The pattern of results on Visual Puzzles and Figure Weights suggested that both subtests involve predominately right frontoparietal networks involved in visual working memory. It appeared that Visual Puzzles could also critically rely on the integrity of the left temporoparietal junction. The left temporoparietal junction could be involved in temporal ordering and integration of local elements into a nonverbal gestalt. In contrast, the Figure Weights task appears to critically involve the right temporoparietal junction involved in numerical magnitude estimation. Cancellation was sensitive to left frontotemporal lesions and not right posterior parietal lesions typical of other visual search tasks. In addition, the Cancellation subtest was sensitive to verbal search strategies and perhaps object-based attention demands, thereby constituting a unique task in comparison with previous visual search tasks.
Studies on structural and fibre quality characteristics of eri silk cocoons in different seasons and places

Abstract Maximum mature larval, cocoon and shell weight were observed during winter season followed by spring and autumn seasons of both white and brick red eri cocoons. Cocoon weight and shell weight were found about 40 and 5%, respectively, as compared to mature larval weight. Degumming loss was estimated at about 10% for white eri and 12% for brick red eri cocoons. Weight of silk fibres varies significantly between layers and decreasing trend was noted from outer to inner layers. Similar trend was observed for single fibre denier and it differs significantly between places (ecoraces), seasons and layers of cocoons. Ascending trend for single fibre tenacity was found from floss to pelade layers of both white and brick red eri silk cocoons and significant influence was observed for places, seasons as well as layers whereas no impact was noted in case of single fibre breaking elongation. Regression equations between weight of degummed cocoon fibres, single fibre denier and single fibre tenacity and to its corresponding values for different places (ecoraces), seasons and cocoon layers were established and estimated R2 and ‘t’ values confirmed the significance of these regression equations.
Video segmentation of the common carotid artery intima media complex

The correct identification of the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) walls has a high clinical relevance as it represents one of the most reliable predictor for future cardiovascular events. In this work we propose and evaluate an integrated system for the segmentation of the intima-media complex (IMC) and the lumen diameter in longitudinal ultrasound video of the CCA based on normalization, speckle reduction filtering (with a first order statistics filter) and snakes segmentation. The algorithm is initialized in the first video frame of the cardiac cycle by an automated initialization procedure and the borders of the far wall and near wall of the CCA are estimated. The IMC and the carotid diameter are then segmented automatically in the consecutive video frames for one cardiac cycle. The proposed algorithm was evaluated on 10 longitudinal ultrasound B-mode videos of the CCA and is compared with the manual tracings of a neurovascular expert, for every 20 frames in a time span of 3-5 seconds, covering in general 1-2 cardiac cycles. The algorithm estimated an IMTmean± standard deviation of (0.72±0.22) mm while the manual results were (0.70±0.19). The mean maximum and minimum diameter was (7.08±1.37) mm and (6.53±1.13) mm respectively. The results were validated based on statistical measures and univariate statistical analysis. It was shown that there was no significant difference between the snakes segmentation measurements and the manual measurements. The proposed integrated system could successfully segment the IMC in ultrasound CCA video sequences thus complementing manual measurements.
DLC1 interacts with 14-3-3 proteins to inhibit RhoGAP activity and block nucleocytoplasmic shuttling

Deleted in liver cancer 1 (DLC1) is a Rho-GTPase-activating protein (GAP) that is downregulated in various tumor types. In vitro, DLC1 specifically inactivates the small GTPases RhoA, RhoB and RhoC through its GAP domain and this appears to contribute to its tumor suppressor function in vivo. Molecular mechanisms that control DLC1 activity have not so far been investigated. Here, we show that phorbol-ester-induced activation of protein kinase C and protein kinase D stimulates association of DLC1 with the phosphoserine/phosphothreonine-binding 14-3-3 adaptor proteins via recognition motifs that involve Ser327 and Ser431. Association with 14-3-3 proteins inhibits DLC1 GAP activity and facilitates signaling by active Rho. We further show that treatment of cells with phorbol ester or coexpression of 14-3-3 proteins, blocks DLC1 nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, probably by masking a previously unrecognized nuclear localization sequence. The binding to 14-3-3 proteins is thus a newly discovered mechanism by which DLC1 activity is regulated and compartmentalized.
Option-Implied Correlations and the Price of Correlation Risk

Motivated by extensive evidence that stock-return correlations are stochastic, we analyze whether the risk of correlation changes (affecting diversification benefits) is priced. We propose a direct and intuitive test by comparing option-implied correlations between stock returns (obtained by combining index option prices with prices of options on all index components) with realized correlations. Our parsimonious model shows that the substantial gap between average implied (39.5% for S&P500 and 46.0% for DJ30) and realized correlations (32.5% and 35.5%, respectively) is direct evidence of a large negative correlation risk premium. Empirical implementation of our model also indicates that the index variance risk premium can be attributed to the high price of correlation risk. Finally, we provide evidence that option-implied correlations have remarkable predictive power for future market returns, which also stays significant after controlling for a number of fundamental market return predictors.
Self reported hypertension among unemployed people in the United States

Higher death rates from cardiovascular diseases have been reported among unemployed people in several countries after age, socioeconomic status, and marital status have been controlled for. Other studies have found that blood pressure and serum cholesterol concentration rise before and after loss of a job. Moreover, unemployed people consult doctors about cardiovascular conditions including hypertension, more often than do employed people.1 We used data from a cross sectional survey of American adults to estimate the risk of hypertension among unemployed people after controlling for other risk factors. In 1992, 48 states and the District of Columbia participated in the behavioural risk factor surveillance system, which entailed interviewing people by telephone who had been contacted by dialling random numbers. A total of 96 213 people were interviewed. The median percentage of complete interviews for all the …