Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relative impact of risk factors for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE To assess the potential impact of controlling risk factors on the incidence of venous thromboembolism by estimating the population attributable risk (defined as the percentage of all cases of a disease in a population that can be "attributed" to a risk factor) for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism associated with venous thromboembolism risk factors. METHODS Using data from a population-based, nested, case-control study of the 625 Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents with a definite first lifetime deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism diagnosed during the 15-year period 1976 to 1990 and 625 unaffected Olmsted County residents matched for age and sex, we developed a conditional logistic regression model appropriate to the matched case-control study design and then estimated attributable risk for the risk factors individually and collectively. RESULTS Fifty-nine percent of the cases of venous thromboembolism in the community could be attributed to institutionalization (current or recent hospitalization or nursing home residence). Hospitalization for surgery (24%) and for medical illness (22%) accounted for a similar proportion of the cases, while nursing home residence accounted for 13%. The individual attributable risk estimates for malignant neoplasm, trauma, congestive heart failure, central venous catheter or pacemaker placement, neurological disease with extremity paresis, and superficial vein thrombosis were 18%, 12%, 10%, 9%, 7%, and 5%, respectively. Together, the 8 risk factors accounted for 74% of disease occurrence. CONCLUSIONS Factors associated with institutionalization independently account for more than 50% of all cases of venous thromboembolism in the community. Greater emphasis should be placed on prophylaxis for hospitalized medical patients. Other recognized risk factors account for about 25% of all cases of venous thromboembolism, while the remaining 25% of cases are idiopathic.
Bovine Tuberculosis Prevalence, Potential Risk Factors and Its Public Health Implication in Selected State Dairy Farms, Central Ethiopia

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M.bovis), is endemic in Ethiopia. However, its magnitude in cattle and human population are not well documented. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 720 apparently healthy dairy cattle kept in three different state owned farms in central Ethiopia to quantify the risk factors and determine the prevalence of BTB using (CIDT) Comparative Intra-Dermal Tuberculin Test from December 2013 to November 2014. Questionnaire survey was used to assess the risk factors and zoonotic implication of BTB. The prevalence of BTB was at 16.53% (95% CI 14.2-18.9) and It was significantly higher in crossbreed (= 54.76; P<0.001; OR=16.1; 95% CI=6.2-41.1) and animals older than 4 years (=34.51; P<0.001, OR =6.22; 95% CI=3.5-11.12). Moreover, the prevalence was also significantly higher in good body conditioned dairy cattle compared to poor body conditioned dairy cattle (=29.69; P<0.001; OR=2.45; 95% CI=1.1-5.7). The prevalence of BTB was also significantly varied among the reproductive status of the dairy cattle (=18.10; P<0.001). The majority of the respondents consume raw milk (66.1% and raw meat (74.20%) respectively. There was statistically significant variation (=12.51; P<0.03) in consumption habit between educated and non-educated dairy farm workers. The major risk factors for bovine tuberculosis in this study were breed and age of the dairy cattle. Consumption of raw milk and meat is still a common practice in the study farms. Culling of aged dairy cattle and continuous test and slaughter of infected cattle should be practiced at least in state owned dairy farms to decrease the risk of transmission. In addition to awareness creation of the public particularly the dairy farm workers on the zoonotic nature of tuberculosis is of utmost importance to control bovine tuberculosis.
ILSI Southeast Asia Region conference proceedings: The gut, its microbes and health: relevance for Asia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The human being is a complex entity, involving interaction between microbes and the human host. Evidence shows that the nutritional value of food is influenced in part by the structure and operations of an individual's gut microbial community, and food in turn shapes the individual's microbiome. A conference was held to promote understanding of the intestinal microbiome and its implications for health and disease, particularly among Asian populations. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN Papers describing 1) the intestinal ecosystem in Asian populations, 2) changes in intestinal microbiota through life and its effects, 3) the Asian gut microbiota in disease conditions, 4) indigenous probiotics to maintain a healthy gut microbiota, 5) probiotic regulation in an Asian country, and 6) the results of a panel discussion are included in this report. CONCLUSIONS The gut microbial inhabitants of Asian people differ from those of Europe and North America. Geographic location, diet, and ethnic background influence intestinal microbial composition. Urbanization and economic development have brought changes in traditional Asian diets, which in turn affected the gut microbiome, contributing to a shift in the region's health burden from infectious diseases to non-communicable chronic diseases. Novel probiotic strains of Indonesian origin demonstrated significant enhancement of humoral immune response in human studies. Knowledge gaps and implications for research to further understand the Asian gut microbiome were discussed.
Diversity and abundance of n -alkane-degrading bacteria in the near-surface soils of a Chinese onshore oil and gas field

Alkane-degrading bacteria have long been used as an important biological indicator for oil and gas prospecting, but their ecological characteristics in hydrocarbon microseep habitats are still poorly understood. In this study, the diversity and abundance of n -alkane-degrading bacterial community in the near-surface soils of a Chinese onshore oil and gas field were investigated using molecular techniques. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analyses in combination with cloning and sequencing of alkB genes revealed that Gram-negative genotypes ( Alcanivorax and Acinetobacter ) dominated n -alkane-degrading bacterial communities in the near-surface soils of oil and gas reservoirs, while the dominant microbial communities were Gram-positive bacteria ( Mycobacterium and Rhodococcus ) in background soil. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results furthermore showed that the abundance of alkB genes increased substantially in the surface soils above oil and gas reservoirs even though only low or undetectable concentrations of hydrocarbons were measured in these soils. The results of this study implicate that trace amounts of volatile hydrocarbons migrate from oil and gas reservoirs, and likely result in the changes of microbial communities in the near-surface soil.
IGBT avalanche current filamentaion ratio: Precise simulations on mesh and structure effect

Current filamentaion effect with dynamic avalanche during turn-off transient in IGBT has been discussed for years. In the prior papers, the possibility of device failure has been reported based on TCAD simulation and simulation results have shown that variety of filamentation phenomena exist for conditions assumed in each simulation. It is discussed in this paper, for the first time, that the relationship of filamentation current concentration strength to device design parameters and categorizes filamentation phenomena, introducing current filamentation ratio (CFR). In the paper, guidelines for appropriate mesh pattern selection are also described to ensure the validity of simulation results.
Propagating Annular Modes: Empirical Orthogonal Functions, Principal Oscillation Patterns, and Time Scales

AbstractThe two leading empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of zonal-mean zonal wind describe north–south fluctuations, and intensification and narrowing, respectively, of the midlatitude jet. Under certain circumstances, these two leading EOFs cannot be regarded as independent but are in fact manifestations of a single, coupled, underlying mode of the dynamical system describing the evolution in time of zonal wind anomalies. The true modes are revealed by the principal oscillation patterns (POPs). The leading mode and its associated eigenvalue are complex, its structure involves at least two EOFs, and it describes poleward (or equatorward) propagation of zonal-mean zonal wind anomalies. In this propagating regime, the principal component (PC) time series associated with the two leading EOFs decay nonexponentially, and the response of the system to external forcing in a given EOF does not depend solely on the PC decorrelation time nor on the projection of the forcing onto that EOF. These considerations .
Detection of Rickettsia aeschlimannii and Rickettsia sibirica mongolitimonae in Hyalomma marginatum (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks from Turkey

A total of 784 (626 females, 158 males) Hyalomma marginatum Koch, 1844 ticks collected from humans in Turkey were tested for the presence of spotted fever group rickettsiae using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the citrate synthase (gltA= 381 bp) and the outer membrane protein A (ompA= 532 bp) genes, followed by sequencing analysis. Of the ticks tested, 39 were infected by Rickettsia aeschlimannii while 2 were infected by Rickettsia sibirica mongolitimonae. To our knowledge, this is the first report of R. sibirica mongolitimonae in H. marginatum ticks.
Hippocampal complex and retrieval of recent and very remote autobiographical memories: Evidence from functional magnetic resonance imaging in neurologically intact people

It has been argued that the role of the hippocampus in memory is time‐limited: during a period of memory consolidation, other brain regions such as the neocortex are said to acquire the ability to support memory retention and retrieval on their own. An alternative view is that retention and retrieval of memory for autobiographical episodes depend on the hippocampal complex, regardless of the age of the memory. We examined the participation of the hippocampal complex in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study in which participants were asked to recollect autobiographical events that occurred either within the last 4 years or more than 20 years ago. We found equivalent levels of hippocampal activation in both conditions in all participants (N = 10). In addition, activation in neocortical regions did not differ as a function of the age of the memory, even though most of the recent memories recalled were less than 2 years old and the remote memories more than 35 years old. The results support the notion that the hippocampal complex participates in retention and recovery of even very old autobiographical memories, and place boundary conditions on theories of memory consolidation. Hippocampus 2001;11:707–714. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanical Failure of Fine Root Cortical Cells Initiates Plant Hydraulic Decline during Drought1[OPEN]

Drought-induced mechanical failure (lacunae formation) in fine root cortical cells initiates hydraulic decline under drought stress and precedes xylem embolism and root shrinkage. Root systems perform the crucial task of absorbing water from the soil to meet the demands of a transpiring canopy. Roots are thought to operate like electrical fuses, which break when carrying an excessive load under conditions of drought stress. Yet the exact site and sequence of this dysfunction in roots remain elusive. Using in vivo x-ray computed microtomography, we found that drought-induced mechanical failure (i.e. lacunae formation) in fine root cortical cells is the initial and primary driver of reduced fine root hydraulic conductivity (Lpr) under mild to moderate drought stress. Cortical lacunae started forming under mild drought stress (−0.6 MPa Ψstem), coincided with a dramatic reduction in Lpr, and preceded root shrinkage or significant xylem embolism. Only under increased drought stress was embolism formation observed in the root xylem, and it appeared first in the fine roots (50% loss of hydraulic conductivity [P50] reached at −1.8 MPa) and then in older, coarse roots (P50 = −3.5 MPa). These results suggest that cortical cells in fine roots function like hydraulic fuses that decouple plants from drying soil, thus preserving the hydraulic integrity of the plant’s vascular system under early stages of drought stress. Cortical lacunae formation led to permanent structural damage of the root cortex and nonrecoverable Lpr, pointing to a role in fine root mortality and turnover under drought stress.
Effect of Microwave Pretreatment on Permeability and Drying Properties of Wood

A microwave (MW) treatment of plantation eucalyptus (Eucalyptus urophylla) wood was investigated by applying MW treatments with varying conditions, such as radiation power, irradiation time, and initial moisture content of the wood. The wood permeability and drying properties were investigated. Results show that the permeability (both along the transverse and longitudinal directions) increased with the radiation power and the irradiation time. The permeability was considerably enhanced by the MW pretreatments, which effectively decreased the moisture content within the wood. A MW pretreatment can greatly accelerate the drying rate and shorten the wood drying time. Under atmospheric pressure the stain uptake along the transverse and longitudinal directions, with respect to the wood fibers, increased to 58% and 135%, respectively, compared to reference samples. Meanwhile, the drying rate increased to 171% and the drying time was cut by 65%. The MW pretreatment was found to generate a high-pressure internal steam that resulted in the rupture of wood cell pore membranes and ray cells. Therefore, a remarkable permeability increase and drying time reduction was achieved, which created favorable conditions for the fabrication of high value-added functional wood-based composites materials.
Refined Lab-score, a Risk Score Predicting Serious Bacterial Infection in Febrile Children Less Than 3 Years of Age

Background: The identification of serious bacterial infection (SBI) in children with fever without source remains a challenge. A risk score called Lab-score, based on C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and urinary dipstick results was derived to predict SBI. However, all biomarkers were initially dichotomized, leading to weak statistical reliability and lack of transportability across diverse settings. We aimed to refine and validate this risk-score algorithm. Methods: The Lab-score was refined using a secondary analysis of a multicenter cohort study of children with fever without source via multilevel regression modeling. The external validation was conducted on data from a Canadian cohort study. Results: Eight hundred seventy-seven children (24% SBI) were included for the derivation study, and 347 (16% SBI) for validation. Only C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, age and urinary dipstick remained independently associated with SBI. The model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.94 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93–0.96), which was significantly higher than any other isolated biomarker (P < 0.0001), and the original Lab-score (P < 0.0001). According to a decision curve analysis, the model yielded a better strategy than those based on independently considered biomarkers, or on the original Lab-score. The threshold analysis led to a cutoff that yielded 96% (95% CI: 92–98) sensitivity and 73% (95% CI: 70–77) specificity. The external validation found similar predictive abilities: 0.96 area under the ROC curve (95% CI: 0.93–0.99), 95% sensitivity (95% CI: 85–99) and 87% specificity (95% CI: 83–91). Conclusion: The refined Lab-score demonstrated higher prediction ability for SBI than the original Lab-score, with promising wider applicability across settings. These results require validation in additional populations.
Metagenomic analysis of viruses in reclaimed wateremi

Reclaimed water use is an important component of sustainable water resource management. However, there are concerns regarding pathogen transport through this alternative water supply. This study characterized the viral community found in reclaimed water and compared it with viruses in potable water. Reclaimed water contained 1000-fold more viruslike particles than potable water, having approximately 108 VLPs per millilitre. Metagenomic analyses revealed that most of the viruses in both reclaimed and potable water were novel. Bacteriophages dominated the DNA viral community in both reclaimed and potable water, but reclaimed water had a distinct phage community based on phage family distributions and host representation within each family. Eukaryotic viruses similar to plant pathogens and invertebrate picornaviruses dominated RNA metagenomic libraries. Established human pathogens were not detected in reclaimed water viral metagenomes, which contained a wealth of novel single-stranded DNA and RNA viruses related to plant, animal and insect viruses. Therefore, reclaimed water may play a role in the dissemination of highly stable viruses. Information regarding viruses present in reclaimed water but not in potable water can be used to identify new bioindicators of water quality. Future studies will need to investigate the infectivity and host range of these viruses to evaluate the impacts of reclaimed water use on human and ecosystem health.
The discretionary nature of sick leave

In between fit as a fiddle and halfway dead there is a grey area in which workers may be able to work or may qualify for sick leave. Within this area there is room for subjective judgment. In many cases, two workers with the same health problem and the same job will evaluate their ability to work differently. We know from everyday life that health problems are tackled in many ways, by some with courage and by others with despair. From several studies we also know that physicians differ in how they evaluate health problems; suggesting different diagnoses and different treatments in response to the same symptoms (see e.g. Englund et al., 2000; Gorter et al., 2001). The subjectivity of health makes it difficult to agree upon a common set of criteria for eligibility to sick leave and other health related benefits.
The Virtual Meditative Walk: Virtual Reality Therapy for Chronic Pain Management

Because the nature of chronic pain is complex, pharmacological analgesics are often not enough to achieve an ideal treatment plan. Virtual Reality (VR) technologies have emerged within medical research in recent years for treating acute pain, and proved to be an effective strategy based on pain distraction. This paper describes a VR system designed for chronic pain patients. The system incorporates biofeedback sensors, an immersive virtual environment, and stereoscopic sound titled the "Virtual Meditative Walk" (VMW). It was designed to enable chronic pain patients to learn Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), a form of meditation. By providing real-time visual and sonic feedback, VMW enables patients to learn how to manage their pain. A proof-of-concept user study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the VR system with chronic pain patients in clinical settings. Results show that the VMW was more effective in reducing perceived pain compared to the non-VR control condition.
Aging and Wisdom

People from different cultures vary in the ways they approach social conflicts, with Japanese being more motivated to maintain interpersonal harmony and avoid conflicts than Americans are. Such cultural differences have developmental consequences for reasoning about social conflict. In the study reported here, we interviewed random samples of Americans from the Midwest United States and Japanese from the larger Tokyo area about their reactions to stories of intergroup and interpersonal conflicts. Responses showed that wisdom (e.g., recognition of multiple perspectives, the limits of personal knowledge, and the importance of compromise) increased with increasing age among Americans, but older age was not associated with wiser responses among Japanese. Younger and middle-aged Japanese showed greater use of wise-reasoning strategies than younger and middle-aged Americans did. This cultural difference was weaker for older participants’ reactions to interpersonal conflicts and was actually reversed for intergroup conflicts. This research has important implications for the study of aging, cultural psychology, and wisdom.
How Much Does Movement and Location Encoding Impact Prefrontal Cortex Activity? An Algorithmic Decoding Approach in Freely Moving Rats

Abstract Specialized brain structures encode spatial locations and movements, yet there is growing evidence that this information is also represented in the rodent medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Disambiguating such information from the encoding of other types of task-relevant information has proven challenging. To determine the extent to which movement and location information is relevant to mPFC neurons, tetrodes were used to record neuronal activity while limb positions, poses (i.e., recurring constellations of limb positions), velocity, and spatial locations were simultaneously recorded with two cameras every 200 ms as rats freely roamed in an experimental enclosure. Regression analyses using generalized linear models revealed that more than half of the individual mPFC neurons were significantly responsive to at least one of the factors, and many were responsive to more than one. On the other hand, each factor accounted for only a very small portion of the total spike count variance of any given neuron (<20% and typically <1%). Machine learning methods were used to analyze ensemble activity and revealed that ensembles were usually superior to the sum of the best neurons in encoding movements and spatial locations. Because movement and location encoding by individual neurons was so weak, it may not be such a concern for single-neuron analyses. Yet because these weak signals were so widely distributed across the population, this information was strongly represented at the ensemble level and should be considered in population analyses.
On the Effectiveness of Leading-Edge Modifications upon Cambered SD7032 Wings

An experimental study was conducted to look into the flow fields and aerodynamic efficacies of leading-edge modified cambered wings based on SD7032 profile. Water-tunnel studies on a baseline and the above-mentioned modified SD7032 wings at Rec=1.4×10 4 and angles-of-attack of =0o to 20o demonstrate that the present cambered wing achieves the most significant reductions in the flow separation bubble sizes along the peak-plane, with very little flow separations. Cross-stream results show the persistent formation of streamwise vortices formed by flows separating along the leading-edge modifications, similar to their non-cambered counterparts. Wind tunnel measurements at Rec=1.30×10 5 , 1.83×10 5 and 2.30×10 5 show that the maximum lift coefficient achieved by the modified SD7032 wing is actually lower than that of the baseline wing. Unlike the baseline wing which stalls abruptly though, the modified wing does not appear to incur sudden wing stall. Results indicate that the favourable effects associated with leading-edge modifications are not affected by the exact wing aerofoil geometry. In addition, proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) technique was used to analyse the particle image velocimetry snapshots. Results show that at =15o, separated shear layers from the leadingand trailing-edges possess the highest flow energy levels for both baseline and modified wings, though the latter incurrs significantly higher levels over the former. Higher POD modes possess significantly lower flow energy content. More interestingly, reconstructed flow fields at different POD modes reveal the different flow separation behaviour caused by the presence of the leading-edge tubercles.