Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating air travel-associated importations of dengue virus into Italy.

BACKGROUND Southern Europe is increasingly at risk for dengue emergence, given the seasonal presence of relevant mosquito vectors and suitable climatic conditions. For example, Aedes mosquitoes, the main vector for both dengue and chikungunya, are abundant in Italy, and Italy experienced the first ever outbreak of chikungunya in Europe in 2007. We set out to estimate the extent of dengue virus importations into Italy via air travelers. METHODS We attempted to quantify the number of dengue virus importations based on modeling of published estimates on dengue incidence in the countries of disembarkation and analysis of data on comprehensive air travel from these countries into Italy's largest international airport in Rome. RESULTS From 2005 to 2012, more than 7.3 million air passengers departing from 100 dengue-endemic countries arrived in Rome. Our Importation Model, which included air traveler volume, estimated the incidence of dengue infections in the countries of disembarkation, and the probability of infection coinciding with travel accounted for an average of 2,320 (1,621-3,255) imported dengue virus infections per year, of which 572 (381-858) were "apparent" dengue infections and 1,747 (1,240-2,397) "inapparent. " CONCLUSIONS Between 2005 and 2012, we found an increasing trend of dengue virus infections imported into Rome via air travel, which may pose a potential threat for future emergence of dengue in Italy, given that the reoccurring pattern of peak importations corresponds seasonally with periods of relevant mosquito vector activity. The observed increasing annual trends of dengue importation and the consistent peaks in late summer underpin the urgency in determining the threshold levels for the vector and infected human populations that could facilitate novel autochthonous transmission of dengue in Europe.
Surgeon Choices, and the Choice of Surgeons, Affect Total Hospital Charges for Single-Level Anterior Cervical Surgery

Study Design. This retrospective study assessed the total hospital charges for performing 102 single-level anterior cervical discectomy/fusion (1-ADF) procedures performed during a single year at one institution. All cases were in a single diagnosis-related group (DRG) category (473: cervical spine fusion), and used a single Principle Procedure Code (81.02). Objective. To examine the variations in total hospital charges and to determine the extent to which surgeons affected these charges. Summary of Background Data. Little is known about the variability in total hospital charges for performing 1-ADF, and how the surgeon affects these charges. Methods. In 2008, 15 surgeons performed 102 1-ADF without comorbidities at a single institution. A total of 80 patients exhibited no myelopathy (ICD-9: 722.0), while 22 were myelopathic (ICD-9-CM: 722.71). The total hospital charges (total charges) were divided into in-patient hospital charges (e.g., room charge/length of stay [LOS], diagnostic studies), and surgical charges. Surgical charges were subdivided into operative charges (operating room, anesthesia, recovery room charges), instrumentation charges (plates/screws, spacers/implants), and supply charges (bone graft supplements). In addition, the total hospital charges were analyzed for the 6 surgeons doing 8 or more cases. Results. The total hospital charges per patient ranged from $26,653 to $129,220 (a factor of 4.8). The in-patient hospital charges, which ranged from $15,113 to $76,687 (a factor of 5.0), were largely influenced by differing LOS (1–11 days). There was also a large variation in surgical charges, which was largely attributable to the surgeon's choice of instrumentation. Instrumentation charges per patient ranged from $4062 to $40,409 (a factor of 10). The average in-patient hospital and surgical charges of 1 of the 6 surgeons clearly exceeded the averages for the others. Conclusion. Both the surgeon's choice of instrumentation and the choice of surgeons contributed to large- variations in total hospital charges for 102 patients undergoing 1-ADF.
Cholinergic nucleus basalis tauopathy emerges early in the aging‐MCI‐AD continuum

The cholinergic denervation in Alzheimer's disease (AD) provides the rationale for treatments with anticholinesterases. The presence of this cholinergic lesion is solidly established in advanced AD. Whether it also exists in early disease remains unsettled. This question was addressed with thioflavin‐S histofluorescence to identify neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and two tau antibodies (AT8, Alz‐50) to identify pre‐tangle cytopathology in the nucleus basalis, the source of cortical cholinergic innervation. Methods for the concurrent visualization of tauopathy and choline acetyltransferase were used to determine if the cytopathology was selectively located within cholinergic neurons. Five elderly index cases who had died at the stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early AD were identified by longitudinal neuropsychological and behavioral assessments. They were compared to 7 age‐matched cognitively normal subjects. NFT and AT8 (or Alz‐50) immunostaining in cholinergic nucleus basalis neurons existed even in the cognitively normal subjects. The percentage of tauopathy‐containing nucleus basalis neurons was greater in the cognitively impaired and showed a significant correlation with memory scores obtained 1‐18 months prior to death. These results show that cytopathology in cortical cholinergic pathways is a very early event in the course of the continuum that leads from advanced age to MCI and AD.
MAMMOGRAPHIC SCREENING FOR BREAST CANCER

367 Crown Street. Wollongong, N.S. W. 2500. SIR: The measurement of the fast moving fraction of haemoglobin is assuming increasing importance in the investigation and management of patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. The initial papers described assays separating and measuring the individual minor components of haemoglobin A. This was a tedious and laborious procedure. The estimation of the total minor components of haemoglobin A is far simpler and they appear to behave in a similar way in patients with diabetes. ' Variations of the procedure have now largely replaced the individual separation in routine laboratory assays. The majority of assays in current use measure the fast moving fraction of haemoglobin and we have referred to this by a descriptive name: fast moving haemoglobin (FMH). The term haemoglobin A1 C or haemoglobin A1 are incorrect because the other minor components of haemoglobin A1, as well as some components of haemoglobin A2 and haemoglobin F, are estimated. Similarly, the term total glycosylated haemoglobin is also inappropriate as it presumes the above minor fractions are glycosylated. We would suggest that until a consensus on the nomenclature is obtained that this particular fraction be referred to by a descriptive name such as "fast moving haemoglobin". T. BOWEN, R. EDWARDS, R. MOSES.
Sperm cell proteomics

The spermatozoon is an accessible cell which can be easily purified and therefore it is particularly well suited for proteomic analysis. It is also an extremely differentiated cell with very marked genetic, cellular, functional and chromatin changes as compared to other cells, and has profound implications for fertility, embryo development and heredity. The recent developments in MS have boosted the potential for identification and study of the sperm proteins. Catalogues of hundreds to thousands of spermatozoan proteins in human and in model species are becoming available setting up the basis for subsequent research, diagnostic applications and the development of specific treatments. The present article reviews the available scientific publications dealing with the composition and function of the sperm cell using an MS proteomic approach.
Suicidal intent in non-fatal illicit drug overdose.

AIM To explore suicidal intent among drug users experiencing non-fatal overdose. DESIGN Semi-structured interviews. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Seventy-seven drug users experiencing non-fatal overdose and attending six hospital accident and emergency departments in two Scottish cities during 1997 and 1998. MEASUREMENTS The extent of suicidal intent and motivations for intentional overdosing were examined. FINDINGS The incidence of suicidal intent was high, with 38 respondents (49%) reporting suicidal thoughts or feelings before overdosing. Suicidal actions were significantly associated with a self-reported history of life-time mental health problems and with not using heroin prior to overdosing, but not with other demographic or drug history data. Qualitative data indicated that intentional overdosing was frequently not driven by a clear and unambiguous desire to die. Furthermore, suicidal actions were motivated by a range of psychosocial factors, including: (i) predisposing personal circumstances; (ii) precipitating events; and (iii) poor individual coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS The issue of suicidal intent needs to be addressed routinely in hospital wards and accident and emergency departments so that the need for support can be assessed.
Classification of acute myelogenous leukemia in blood microscopic images using supervised classifier

Blood cancer is a form of cancer which attacks the blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system. It is diagnosed with a blood test in which specific types of blood cells are counted by hematologist. We considered only acute myelogenous leukemia, which is one of the blood cancer type which categories under acute leukemia and it mostly comes among adults. Need for automatic diagnosis of leukemia arises when doctors recognize cancers under a microscope which has complete manual work and it's not good for the patient. Automatic diagnosis system which helps hematologists for easier identification and early detection of leukemia from blood microscopic images which will improve the chances of survival for the patient. In this proposed system, which mainly composed of four main stages are preprocessed stage, segmentation stage, feature extraction stage and classification stage respectively. This system framework consists simple and known technique such as K-mean clustering, Local Directional path (LDP), and support vector machine (SVM) respectively. The condition of a patient is shown as normal or abnormal status with the help of classifier. The overall system performance is evaluated using the defined parameters such as sensitivity, specificity, f-measure, and precision which used for calculating the accuracy. Ninety microscopic blood images were tested, and the proposed framework managed to obtain 98% accuracy. Finally, we compare the results of some existing systems with our proposed system to show our achievement on accuracy.
High angiotensin II state without cardiac remodeling (Bartter’s and Gitelman’s syndromes): Are angiotensin II type 2 receptors involved?

Background/aims: While Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a major factor in the development of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and a pivotal role for Ang II signals via ERK1/2 has been identified, mechanism(s) responsible are still unclear. As Bartter’s and Gitelman’s syndrome patients (BS/GS) have increased Ang II, and yet normo/hypotension, hyporesponsiveness to pressors and blunted Ang II signaling via type 1 receptors (AT1R), this study assesses BS/GS’s left ventricular (LV) mass and structure as well as Ang II induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation compared with essential hypertensive patients (EH) and normotensive healthy subjects (C) to gain insight into Ang II mediated processes. Methods: Indices of cardiac hypertrophy were determined by M-mode, two-dimensional echo Doppler and ERK phosphorylation by Western blot. Results: None of BS/GS exhibited LV remodelling; LV mass, LV end-diastolic volume and mass/volume ratio were unchanged vs C (60±14 g/m2vs 64±12, 64±12 ml/m2vs 60±8 and 0.95±0.2 vs 1.0±0.2, respectively) and reduced vs EH (119±15, p<0.001, 78±9, p<0.05 and 1.52±0.15, p<0.01). Despite BS/GS’s higher plasma renin activity and aldosterone and unchanged level of AT1R, Ang II induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation was reduced vs both C and EH: 0.64 d.u. ±0.08 vs 0.90±0.06 in C, p<0.006, and vs 1.45±0.07 in EH, p<0.001. Conclusion: The data point to a direct cardioremodeling role for Ang II and support a role of Ang II type 2 receptor (AT2R) signaling as involved in the lack of cardiovascular remodeling in BS/GS. However, further studies using more direct approaches to demonstrate the effects of AT2R signaling must be pursued.
Dietary Non-heme Iron Bioavailability Among Children (Ages 5–8) in a Rural, High-Anemia-Prevalent Area in North India: Comparison of Algorithms

Non-heme iron bioavailability of diet consumed by children (ages 5 to 8) in rural area of India was estimated by comparison of algorithms. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 232 children and consisted of a 24-hour recall on 2 nonconsecutive days. Four algorithms were chosen to estimate the non-heme iron bioavailability. Daily average non-heme iron bioavailability as calculated by different algorithms was low (between 3.2% and 4.6%). Correlations of bioavailable non-heme iron among different algorithms were strong, ranging from rs = 0.67 to rs = 0.85 (p ≤ .01).
Towards Understanding the Role of Colour Information in Scene Perception using Night Vision Device

Abstract : Aviation Night Vision Devices (NVDs) are used to enable air operations under conditions of low illumination. The current generation of devices uses a single sensitivity band in either the infrared or near-infrared range. The next generation of such devices may include detectors at more than one absorption band. This has the potential to enhance the segmentation of different surfaces and features in the visual scene. Colour can be used to display contrast between sensor bands. Different schemes for representing spectral contrast are described, and are evaluated with respect to human colour sensitivity. Research on the role of colour in object and scene recognition is reviewed. The available evidence suggests that natural colour plays a useful role in scene recognition when objects and surfaces have prototypical colours. Misleading, false or "unnatural" coloration, which is a by-product of colour NVDs, may impair scene recognition and situational awareness. An experimental investigation of the effect of green monochrome imagery with altered surface reflectances, representative of current generation NVDs, showed a clear impairment in the recognition of complex urban scenes. The use of unnatural colour renderings in next-generation NVDs may lead to further impairment in scene recognition with consequences for situational awareness and effective navigation.
Predicting the semantic orientation of movie reviews

Online reviews are one of the important information resources for people. This paper focuses on a specific domain—movie review and presents a new model for predicting semantic orientation of reviews, i.e., classifying positive reviews from those negative. Different from traditional algorithms for sentiment classifications, this model integrates grammatical knowledge and takes topic correlations into account. Features are extracted, and the similarity between these features and the topic are computed also. The similarity is taken as a factor when evaluating the polarity of opinions. It's shown by the experiment results that the proposed model is effective.
Practical Time-Frequency Analysis, Gabor and Wavelet Transforms With an Implementation in S

as a student in a class taught by a professor. Janacek probably should have given a little more explanation of some of the involved concepts of Chapter 6; a little less hand-waving and a little more in-depth discussion would have been helpful. The linear  lter,  lter design, aliasing, periodogram, Discrete Fourier Transform, Fast Fourier Transform, estimation of spectrum are the main topics of discussion in Chapters 6 and 7. Chapter 8 is devoted to the analysis of multiple correlated time series, a very important concept from a practical standpoint. The book ends with Chapter 9 on R language. Overall, Janacek has done a good job. In most cases, the intuitive hands-on approach without mathematical proofs increases the book’s readability. However, I should mention that the book contains several printing errors. Sometimes these mistakes are very frustrating, and the reader, particularly one not familiar with the topic of time series, should read very carefully. Signi cant editorial effort should be devoted to correcting these errors in the book’s next edition.
HIERARCHICAL COMPARISON OF GENETIC VARIANCE‐COVARIANCE MATRICES. II COASTAL‐INLAND DIVERGENCE IN THE GARTER SNAKE, THAMNOPHIS ELEGANS

The time‐scale for the evolution of additive genetic variance‐covariance matrices (G‐matrices) is a crucial issue in evolutionary biology. If the evolution of G‐matrices is slow enough, we can use standard multivariate equations to model drift and selection response on evolutionary time scales. We compared the G‐matrices for meristic traits in two populations of gaiter snakes (Thamnophis elegans) with an apparent separation time of 2 million years. Despite considerable divergence in the meristic traits, foraging habits, and diet, these populations show conservation of structure in their G‐matrices. Using Flury's hierarchial approach to matrix comparisons, we found that the populations have retained the principal components (eigenvectors) of their G‐matrices, but their eigenvalues have diverged. In contrast, we were unable to reject the hypothesis of equal environmental matrices (E‐matrices) for these populations. We propose that a conserved pattern of multivariate stabilizing selection may have contributed to conservation of G‐ and E‐matrix structure during the divergence of these populations.
Change Blindness and Its Implications for Complex Monitoring and Control Systems Design and Operator Training

Recent research on change detection suggests that people often fail to notice changes in visual displays when they occur at the same time as various forms of visual transients, including eye blinks, screen flashes, and scene relocation. Distractions that draw the observer's attention away from the location of the change especially lead to detection failure. As process monitoring and control systems rely on humans interacting with complex visual displays, there is a possibility that important changes in visually presented information will be missed if the changes occur coincident with a visual transient or distraction. The purpose of this article is to review research on so called "change blindness" and discuss its implications for the design of visual interfaces for complex monitoring and control systems. The major implication is that systems should provide users with dedicated change-detection tools, instead of leaving change detection to the vagaries of human memorial and attentional processes. Possible training solutions for reducing vulnerability to change-detection failure are also discussed.
Action of psychotogenic drugs on single midbrain raphe neurons.

Because of the previous observation that D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) inhibits raphe neurons, the possible effects on raphe units of other psychotogenic drugs were investigated. In addition to LSD, the following drugs were tested: 1) 2-brom-LSD;2) N N-dimethyltryptamine; 3) mescaline; 4) 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine; 5) scopolamine and atropine; 6) phencyclidine; and 7) various non-psychotogens ( e.g. , chlorpromazine). There were marked differences in the way the various psychotogenic drugs affected the activity of raphe units. These effects differed according to the structural class of the compounds administered as follows. 1) The drugs containing a N-methylated indolethylamine moiety ( i.e. , LSD, 2-brom-LSD and N,N-dimethyltryptamine) inhibited all raphe units, although 2-brom-LSD was usually not capable of producing total inhibition. 2) The derivatives of phenethylamine or α-methylphenethylamine ( i.e. , mescaline and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine) inhibited only those units located in the ventral portion of the dorsal raphe. 3) Atropine, scopolamine and phencyclidine had no effect on raphe unit activity. None of the nonpsychotogenic compounds tested inhibited raphe activity. These results indicate that the indole and phenethylamine psychotogens, which have similar effects on behavior, also have an overlapping although not identical effect on single units in the raphe nuclei. On the other hand, the psychotogenic drugs which differ from the indole and phenethylamine compounds both in chemical structure and behavioral effect do not affect raphe units.
Soil Carbon Stocks in Two Hybrid Poplar-Hay Crop Systems in Southern Quebec, Canada

Tree-based intercropping (TBI) systems, consisting of a medium to fast-growing woody species planted in widely-spaced rows with crops cultivated between tree rows, are a potential sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). TBI systems contribute to farm income in the long-term by improving soil quality, as indicated by soil carbon (C) storage, generating profits from crop plus tree production and potentially through C credit trading. The objectives of the current study were: (1) to evaluate soil C and nitrogen (N) stocks in soil depth increments in the 0–30 cm layer between tree rows of nine-year old hybrid poplar-hay intercropping systems, to compare these to C and N stocks in adjacent agricultural systems; and (2) to determine how hay yield, litterfall and percent total light transmittance (PTLT) were related to soil C and N stocks between tree rows and in adjacent agricultural systems. The two TBI study sites (St. Edouard and St. Paulin) had a hay intercrop with alternating rows of hybrid poplar clones and hardwoods and included an adjacent agricultural system with no trees (i.e., the control plots). Soil C and N stocks were greater in the 0–5 cm depth increment of the TBI system within 1 m of the hardwood row, to the west of the poplar row, compared to the sampling point 1 m east of poplar at St. Edouard (p = 0.02). However, the agricultural system stored more soil C than the nine-year old TBI system in the 20–30 cm and 0–30 cm depth increments. Accumulation of soil C in the 20–30 cm depth increment could be due to tillage-induced burial of non-harvested crop residues at the bottom of the plow-pan. Soil C and N stocks were similar at all depth increments in TBI and agricultural systems at St. Paulin. Soil C and N stocks were not related to hay yield, litterfall and PTLT at St. Paulin, but hay yield and PTLT were significantly correlated (R = 0.87, p < 0.05, n = 21), with lower hay yield in proximity to trees in the TBI system and similar hay yields in the middle of alleys as in the agricultural system. Nine years of TBI practices did not produce significant gains in soil C and N stocks in the 0–30 cm layer, indicating that the total C budget, including C sequestered in trees and unharvested components (litterfall and roots), must be assessed to determine the long-term profitability of TBI systems in Canada.
Influence of Dynamic Factors and External Loads on the Moment at the Lumbar Spine in Lifting

Flexion-extension moments occurring at the L5-S1 level of the spine were calculated when subjects lifted a box weighing from 50 to 250 N. Lifting was performed at normal and fast speed, and the lifts were performed using a freestyle and a leglifting technique. The peak moment increased linearly with increasing load. The moment/load relationship was significantly influenced by lifting speed, and a higher moment occurred at each load level when lifting fast. Lifting speed was reduced when the external load was increased, particularly when the load was 150 N and higher. Moments when lifting using the leglifting technique were lower than when lifting freestyle.