Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hospital Door Handle Design and Their Contamination with Bacteria: A Real Life Observational Study. Are We Pulling against Closed Doors?

Objective To determine whether microbial contamination of door handles in two busy intensive care units and one high dependency unit was related to their design, location, and usage. Design Observational study of the number of viable bacteria on existing door handles of different design at defined entry/exit points with simultaneous data collection of who used these doors and how often. Setting Two busy specialised intensive care units and one high dependency unit in a tertiary referral NHS neurological hospital. Main outcome measures Surface bacterial density on door handles with reference to design, location, and intensity of use. Results We found a significant correlation between the frequency of movements through a door and the degree to which it was contaminated (p = <0.01). We further found that the door's location, design and mode of use all influenced contamination. When compared to push plate designs, pull handles revealed on average a five fold higher level of contamination; lever handles, however, displayed the highest levels of bacterial contamination when adjusted for frequency of use. We also observed differences in contamination levels at doors between clinical areas, particularly between the operating theatres and one of the ICUs. Conclusions Door handles in busy, “real life” high acuity clinical environments were variably contaminated with bacteria, and the number of bacteria found related to design, location, mode and frequency of operation. Largely ignored issues of handle and environmental design can support or undermine strategies designed to limit avoidable pathogen transmission, especially in locations designed to define “thresholds” and impose physical barriers to pathogen transmission between clinical areas. Developing a multidisciplinary approach beyond traditional boundaries for purposes of infection control may release hitherto unappreciated options and beneficial outcomes for the control of at least some hospital acquired infections.
Optimal load for increasing muscle power during explosive resistance training in older adults.

BACKGROUND Muscle power (force x velocity) recedes at a faster rate than strength with age and may also be a stronger predictor of fall risk and functional decline. The optimal training paradigm for improving muscle power in older adults is not known, although some literature suggests high velocity, low load training is optimal in young adults. METHODS One hundred twelve healthy older adults (69 +/- 6 years) were randomly assigned to either explosive resistance training at 20% (G20), 50% (G50), or 80% (G80) one repetition maximum (1RM) for 8-12 weeks or to a nontraining control group (CON). Participants trained twice per week (five exercises; three sets of eight rapidly concentric and slow eccentric repetitions) using pneumatic resistance machines. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and covariance (ANOVA and ANCOVA) were used to determine the effects of training. RESULTS Average peak power increased significantly and similarly in G80 (14 +/- 8%), G50 (15 +/- 9%), and G20 (14 +/- 6%) compared to CON (3 +/- 6%) (p < .0001). By contrast, a positive dose-response relationship with training intensity was observed for relative changes in average strength (r = .40, p = .0009) and endurance (r = .43, p = .0005). Average strength increased in G80 (20 +/- 7%), G50 (16 +/- 7%), and G20 (13 +/- 7%) compared to CON (4 +/- 4%) (p < .0001). Average muscle endurance increased in G80 (185 +/- 126%, p < .0001), G50 (103 +/- 75%, p = .0004), and G20 (82 +/- 57%, p = .0078) compared to CON (28 +/- 29%). CONCLUSION Peak muscle power may be improved similarly using light, moderate, or heavy resistances, whereas there is a dose-response relationship between training intensity and muscle strength and endurance changes. Therefore, using heavy loads during explosive resistance training may be the most effective strategy to achieve simultaneous improvements in muscle strength, power, and endurance in older adults.
An illness-specific version of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF IPQ-R): Unpacking beliefs about treatment control, personal control and symptom triggers

Objective: This study modified the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Design: Qualitative interviews and think-aloud techniques informed modification of the IPQ-R to be specific to AF patients. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) (n = 198) examined the validity of the modified IPQ-R (AF-IPQ-R). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) examined the new AF-triggers scale. Construct validity examined associations between the AF-IPQ-R, quality of life (QoL) and beliefs about medicines. Test–retest and internal reliability were examined. Results: Interviews indicated that patients viewed triggers of AF rather than initial causes of illness as more applicable. Patients believed specific behaviours such as rest could control AF. Treatment control beliefs related to pharmacological and procedural treatments. These data were used to modify the IPQ-R subscales and to develop a triggers of AF scale. CFA indicated good model fit. EFA of the triggers scale indicated three factors: emotional; health behaviours; and over-exertion triggers. Expected correlations were found between the AF-IPQ-R, QoL and treatment beliefs, evidencing good construct validity. Conclusion: The AF-IPQ-R showed sound psychometric properties. It provides more detailed specification than the IPQ-R of beliefs that may help to understand poor QoL in AF patients, and guidance for future interventions in this area.
Response Time and Availability Study of RAFT Consensus in Distributed SDN Control Plane

Software defined networking (SDN) promises unprecedented flexibility and ease of network operations. While flexibility is an important factor when leveraging advantages of a new technology, critical infrastructure networks also have stringent requirements on network robustness and control plane delays. Robustness in the SDN control plane is realized by deploying multiple distributed controllers, formed into clusters for durability and fast-failover purposes. However, the effect of the controller clustering on the total system response time is not well investigated in current literature. Hence, in this work we provide a detailed analytical study of the distributed consensus algorithm RAFT, implemented in OpenDaylight and ONOS SDN controller platforms. In those controllers, RAFT implements the data-store replication, leader election after controller failures and controller state recovery on successful repairs. To evaluate its performance, we introduce a framework for numerical analysis of various SDN cluster organizations w.r. t. their response time and availability metrics. We use Stochastic Activity Networks for modeling the RAFT operations, failure injection and cluster recovery processes, and using real-world experiments, we collect the rate parameters to provide realistic inputs for a representative cluster recovery model. We also show how a fast rejuvenation mechanism for the treatment of failures induced by software errors can minimize the total response time experienced by the controller clients, while guaranteeing a higher system availability in the long-term.
Scaling and interaction of self-similar modes in models of high Reynolds number wall turbulence

Previous work has established the usefulness of the resolvent operator that maps the terms nonlinear in the turbulent fluctuations to the fluctuations themselves. Further work has described the self-similarity of the resolvent arising from that of the mean velocity profile. The orthogonal modes provided by the resolvent analysis describe the wall-normal coherence of the motions and inherit that self-similarity. In this contribution, we present the implications of this similarity for the nonlinear interaction between modes with different scales and wall-normal locations. By considering the nonlinear interactions between modes, it is shown that much of the turbulence scaling behaviour in the logarithmic region can be determined from a single arbitrarily chosen reference plane. Thus, the geometric scaling of the modes is impressed upon the nonlinear interaction between modes. Implications of these observations on the self-sustaining mechanisms of wall turbulence, modelling and simulation are outlined. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Toward the development of high-fidelity models of wall turbulence at large Reynolds number’.
A Radiative Transfer Model for Heterogeneous Agro-Forestry Scenarios

Landscape heterogeneity is a common natural phenomenon but is seldom considered in current radiative transfer (RT) models for predicting the surface reflectance. This paper developed an analytical RT model for heterogeneous Agro-Forestry scenarios (RTAF) by dividing the scenario into nonboundary regions (NRs) and boundary regions (BRs). The scattering contribution of the NRs can be estimated from the scattering-by-arbitrarily-inclined-leaves-with-the-hot-spot-effect model as homogeneous canopies, whereas that of the BRs is calculated based on the bidirectional gap probability by considering the interactions and mutual shadowing effects among different patches. The multiangular airborne observations and discrete-anisotropic-RT model simulations were used to validate and evaluate the RTAF model over an agro-forestry scenario in the Heihe River Basin, China. The results suggest that the RTAF model can accurately simulate the hemispherical-directional reflectance factors (HDRFs) of the heterogeneous scenarios in the red and near-infrared (NIR) bands. The boundary effect can significantly influence the angular distribution of the HDRFs and consequently enlarge the HDRF variations between the backward and forward directions. Compared with the widely used dominant cover type (DCT) and spectral linear mixture (SLM) models, the RTAF model reduced the maximum relative error from 25.7% (SLM) and 23.0% (DCT) to 9.8% in the red band and from 19.6% (DCT) and 13.7% (SLM) to 8.7% in the NIR band. The RTAF model provides a promising way to improve the retrieval of biophysical parameters (e.g., leaf area index) from remote sensing data over heterogeneous agro-forestry scenarios.
The Association of Serum Cystatin C with Glycosylated Hemoglobin in Korean Adults

Background Cystatin C has been known to be associated not only with early renal impairment but also with the incidence of diabetic conditions (prediabetes plus diabetes). However, it is not clear whether cystatin C levels are associated with the prevalence of diabetic conditions in Asian populations. We evaluated this association using glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels as the definition of diabetes in Korean adults. Methods We analyzed data from 1,559 Korean adults (937 men and 622 women) with available serum cystatin C and HbA1c values. Results The serum cystatin C levels in subjects with prediabetes and diabetes were significantly increased (0.91±0.14 mg/L in prediabetes and 0.91±0.17 mg/L in diabetes vs. 0.88±0.13 mg/L in patients with normal glucose levels, P=0.001). At increasing cystatin C levels, the prevalence of subjects with prediabetes (30.2% vs. 14.6%, P<0.001) and those with diabetes (10.6% vs. 8.0%, P<0.001) significantly increased in the group with the highest cystatin C levels. The group with the highest cystatin C levels had a significantly increased odds ratio (OR) for the presence of diabetic conditions compared to the group with the lowest values in total subjects (OR, 2.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.54 to 3.58; P<0.001) and in women (OR, 4.13; 95% CI, 1.97 to 8.65; P<0.001), though there was no significant increase after adjusting for multiple variables. Conclusions Higher levels of serum cystatin C are associated with an increased prevalence of diabetic conditions in Korean adults. Our findings may extend the positive association of cystatin C with diabetes incidence to an Asian population.
Revisiting Salient Object Detection: Simultaneous Detection, Ranking, and Subitizing of Multiple Salient Objects

Salient object detection is a problem that has been considered in detail and many solutions proposed. In this paper, we argue that work to date has addressed a problem that is relatively ill-posed. Specifically, there is not universal agreement about what constitutes a salient object when multiple observers are queried. This implies that some objects are more likely to be judged salient than others, and implies a relative rank exists on salient objects. The solution presented in this paper solves this more general problem that considers relative rank, and we propose data and metrics suitable to measuring success in a relative object saliency landscape. A novel deep learning solution is proposed based on a hierarchical representation of relative saliency and stage-wise refinement. We also show that the problem of salient object subitizing can be addressed with the same network, and our approach exceeds performance of any prior work across all metrics considered (both traditional and newly proposed).
Vitamin E Supplementation Increases the Attractiveness of Males' Scent for Female European Green Lizards

Background In spite that chemoreception is important in sexual selection for many animals, such as reptiles, the mechanisms that confer reliability to chemical signals are relatively unknown. European green lizards (Lacerta viridis) have substantial amounts of α-tocopherol ( = vitamin E) in their femoral secretions. Because vitamin E is metabolically important and can only be attained from the diet, its secretion is assumed to be costly. However, its role in intraspecific communication is unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we experimentally show that male European green lizards that received a dietary supplement of vitamin E increased proportions of vitamin E in their femoral secretions. Furthermore, our experiments revealed that females preferred to use areas scent marked by males with experimentally increased vitamin E levels in their secretions. Finally, female preferences were stronger when vitamin E differences between a pair of males' secretions were larger. Conclusions/Significance Our results demonstrate that female green lizards are able to discriminate between males based on the vitamin E content of the males' femoral secretions. We suggest that the possible cost of allocating vitamin E to secretions, which might be dependent on male quality, may be a mechanism that confers reliability to scent marks of green lizards and allows their evolution as sexual signals.
Prevalence of Obesity and Its Association with Socioeconomic Factors in Elderly Iranians from Razavi-Khorasan Province

There are few data regarding the prevalence of obesity and its socioeconomic determinants among elderly individuals, particularly in Iran. We wished to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in free-living elderly people and the relationship to nutritional and socioeconomic factors in the Razavi-Khorasan province of Iran. Free-living elderly persons (917 males/1045 females), aged ? 60 years, were recruited using cluster sampling. Overweight and obesity were evaluated using body mass index (BMI) and subjects were categorized as thin (BMI <18.5 kg/m2), normal (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25–29.9 kg/m2), and obese (? 30 kg/m2). The association between the prevalence of overweight or obesity with socioeconomic and demographic factors, including gender, place of residence, literacy, type of living, source of income, use of supplements during the past 3 months, and employment status, was examined using regression analysis. The distribution of BMI values indicated that 13, 46.5, 28.9, and 11.7% of the total population were thin, normal, overweight, and obese, respectively. The prevalence of central obesity was higher among Iranian women than men (63.1 vs. 18.6%, respectively). Regression analysis results indicated that gender (p < 0.001), place of residence (p < 0.001), literacy (p = 0.01), and source of income (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with the incidence of overweight or obesity. This study showed that 40.6% of elderly subjects were overweight or obese. Results reinforce the need to plan strategies for primary prevention of this fast-growing public health problem.
Italian Opuntia ficus-indica Cladodes as Rich Source of Bioactive Compounds with Health-Promoting Properties

Natural by-products, especially phenolic compounds, are in great demand by the nutra-pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. An analytical study was performed to investigate, for the first time, the presence of antioxidant constituents and the corresponding in vitro antioxidant activity in the extract of cladodes from Ficodindia di San Cono (Opuntia ficus-indica) protected designation of origin (PDO). The cladode extracts were analysed for target determination of selected constituents, i.e., β-polysaccharides and total phenolic content. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of hydro-alcoholic extracts was assessed by means of two different methods: α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. An untargeted UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS profiling approach was used to depict the phenolic profile of hydro-alcoholic cladode extracts. Interestingly, over 2 g/kg of polyphenols were detected in this matrix, and these compounds were mainly responsible for the antioxidant properties, as shown by the strong correlation between phenolic classes and antioxidant scores. Finally, this study provides basic information on the presence of bioactive compounds and in vitro antioxidant activities in cladode extracts from cactus that might recommend their novel applications at the industrial level in the field of nutraceutical products.
Non-biased and complete case registration of lymphoid leukemia and lymphoma for five years: a first representative index of Japan from an epidemiologically stable Miyagi Prefecture

Abstract Previous worldwide epidemiological studies on lymphoid leukemia and/or lymphoma (LL/L) had considerable bias because of difficulty in covering all clinical departments of hospitals in a restricted area (population base). These studies may not have reflected the actual number of newly diagnosed cases (incidence) strictly, or the true LL/L subtype frequencies. We searched all cases of newly diagnosed LL/L in Miyagi Prefecture over a 5-year period, including those that were discovered as LL/L sorely after autopsy. We registered the actual number of 2098 cases in the prefecture and calculated an accurate incidence rate (17.8 per 100,000 persons). Additionally, we identified more realistic and detailed frequencies of LL/L subtypes including the leukemic phase of some lymphomas. As Miyagi Prefecture is an area in which the population dynamics are relatively stable and representative of Japan, the result of our epidemiological study can be used as the first representative index of LL/L for Japan.
Molecular Method Confirms Canine Leishmania Infection Detected by Serological Methods in Non-Endemic Area of Brazil

In Brazil, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is expanding and becoming urbanized, especially in non-endemic areas such as the State of Rio Grande do Sul. Considering that infected dogs are the main reservoir for zoonotic VL, this study evaluated the prevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, a new area of expansion of VL in Brazil. Serum and plasma from 405 asymptomatic dogs from the municipalities of Canoas (n=107), São Leopoldo (n=216), and Novo Hamburgo (n=82) were tested for CVL using immunochromatographic (DPP®) and ELISA EIE® assays (2 assays officially adopted by the Brazilian government for the diagnosis of CVL) and real-time PCR to confirm the results. There was no agreement among serological and real-time PCR results, indicating that the Leishmania infection in asymptomatic animals with low parasite load, confirmed by negative parasitological tests (smears and parasite culture), need to be evaluated by molecular methods. The prevalence of LVC in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, confirmed by real-time PCR was 4% (5.6% in Canoas and 4.6% in São Leopoldo). The use of molecular method is essential for accurate diagnosis of CVL, especially in asymptomatic dogs in non-endemic areas.
Effectiveness of a Peer Navigation Intervention to Sustain Viral Suppression Among HIV-Positive Men and Transgender Women Released From Jail: The LINK LA Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, linkage and retention in care, and adherence to antiretroviral therapy are steps in the care continuum enabling consistent viral suppression for people living with HIV, extending longevity and preventing further transmission. While incarcerated, people living with HIV receive antiretroviral therapy and achieve viral suppression more consistently than after they are released. No interventions have shown sustained viral suppression after jail release. Objective To test the effect on viral suppression in released inmates of the manualized LINK LA (Linking Inmates to Care in Los Angeles) peer navigation intervention compared with standard transitional case management controls. Design, Setting, and Participants Randomized clinical trial conducted from December 2012 through October 2016 with people living with HIV being released from Los Angeles (LA) County Jail. All participants were (1) 18 years or older; (2) either men or transgender women diagnosed with HIV; (3) English speaking; (4) selected for the transitional case management program prior to enrollment; (5) residing in LA County; and (6) eligible for antiretroviral therapy. Main Outcomes and Measures Change in HIV viral suppression (<75 copies/mL) over a 12-month period. Interventions During the 12-session, 24-week LINK LA Peer Navigation intervention, trained peer navigators counseled participants on goal setting and problem solving around barriers to HIV care and adherence, starting while the participants were still in jail. After their release, they continued counseling while they accompanied participants to 2 HIV care visits, then facilitated communication with clinicians during visits. Results Of 356 participants randomized, 151 (42%) were black; 110 (31%) were Latino; 303 (85%) were men; 53 (15%) were transgender women; and the mean (SD) age was 39.5 (10.4) years. At 12 months, viral suppression was achieved by 62 (49.6%) of 125 participants in the peer navigation (intervention) arm compared with 45 (36.0%) of 125 in the transitional case management (control) arm, for an unadjusted treatment difference of 13.6% (95% CI, 1.34%-25.9%; P = .03). In the repeated measures, random effects, logistic model the adjusted probability of viral suppression declined from 52% at baseline to 30% among controls, while those in the peer navigation arm maintained viral suppression at 49% from baseline to 12 months, for a difference-in-difference of 22% (95% CI, 0.03-0.41; P = .02). Conclusions and Relevance The LINK LA peer navigation intervention was successful at preventing declines in viral suppression, typically seen after release from incarceration, compared with standard transitional case management. Future research should examine ways to strengthen the intervention to increase viral suppression above baseline levels. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01406626