Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of fatty liver disease with mortality outcomes in an Eastern Finland male cohort

Objective Fatty liver disease (FLD) has been associated with extrahepatic morbidity outcomes. However, reports on the association of FLD, assessed using fatty liver index (FLI), with mortality outcomes have been inconsistent. Our objective was to examine the effect of metabolic factors (blood pressure, insulin, fasting glucose, lipoproteins) on the associations of FLI with mortality outcomes among middle-aged men. Study design Prospective cohort study. Methods Our subjects were 1893 men at baseline from 1984 to 1989 in the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study cohort. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to analyse the association of baseline FLI, with the HRs for all-cause, disease, cardiovascular, non-cardiovascular and cancer mortality outcomes. Results The mean FLI in the FLI categories were 16.2 in the low and reference category (FLI<30), 43.4 in the intermediate FLI category (FLI=30–<60) and 77.5 in the high FLI (FLD) category (FLI≥60). Over an average follow-up of 20 years, 848 disease deaths were recorded through Finnish national cause of death register. In models adjusted for constitutional, lifestyle and inflammatory factors, for the high (FLI≥60) vs low (FLI<30) FLI category, the HRs (95% CI) for mortality outcomes were 1.50 (1.26–1.78) for all-cause mortality; 1.56 (1.31–2.86) for disease mortality; 1.51 (1.18–1.94) for cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality; 1.42 (1.12–1.80) for non-CVD mortality and 1.45 (1.02–2.07) for cancer mortality. With further adjustment for metabolic factors, the HRs were 1.25 (1.01–1.53) for all-cause mortality; 1.26 (1.02–1.56) for disease mortality; 1.06 (0.78–1.43) for CVD mortality; 1.46 (1.09–1.94) for non-CVD mortality and 1.49 (0.97–2.29) for cancer mortality. Conclusion High FLI (FLD) is associated with increased risks of mortality outcomes. The FLI-CVD mortality association can be largely explained by metabolic factors. Persons with FLD should be monitored for metabolic deterioration and extrahepatic morbidity to improve their prognoses.
Predictive Optimization of the Heat Demand in Buildings at the City Level

Easily adaptable indoor temperature and heat demand models were applied in the predictive optimization of the heat demand at the city level to improve energy efficiency in heating. Real measured district heating data from 201 large buildings, including apartment buildings, schools and commercial, public, and office buildings, was utilized. Indoor temperature and heat demand of all 201 individual buildings were modelled and the models were applied in the optimization utilizing two different optimization strategies. Results demonstrate that the applied modelling approach enables the utilization of buildings as short-term heat storages in the optimization of the heat demand leading to significant improvements in energy efficiency both at the city level and in individual buildings.
How do Korean–English bilinguals speak and think about motion events? Evidence from verbal and non-verbal tasks

Abstract The present study compared both linguistic and non-linguistic representations of motion events in Korean–English sequential bilinguals sampled at varying proficiency levels (N = 80) against each other and against those of Korean and English monolinguals (N = 15 each). The bilinguals' L2 descriptions of motion events showed that their encoding patterns were influenced by both the first language (L1) and second language (L2) and also displayed unique behaviors that were not found in either monolingual norm. The non-verbal results on a triads-matching task demonstrated that bilinguals' categorization patterns followed L1-based patterns rather than L2-based patterns. The extent to which these bilinguals employed L2 encoding patterns in their motion event descriptions was largely modulated by L2 proficiency, whereas length of immersion experience in an L2-speaking country emerged as the only predictor of their non-verbal categorization patterns. These findings suggest that the bilinguals' verbal behavior seems more susceptible to change than their non-verbal behavior.
From Nano to Micro: Evolution of Magnetic Domain Structures in Multidomain Magnetite

Reliability of magnetic recordings of the ancient magnetic field is strongly dependent on the magnetic mineralogy of natural samples. Theoretical estimates of long‐term stability of remanence were restricted to single‐domain (SD) states, but micromagnetic models have recently demonstrated that the so‐called single‐vortex (SV) domain structure can have even higher stability that SD grains. In larger grains ( ≿ 10 μm in magnetite) the multidomain (MD) state dominates, so that large uniform magnetic domains are separated by narrow domain walls. In this paper we use a parallelized micromagnetic finite element model to provide resolutions of many millions of elements allowing us, for the first time, to examine the evolution of magnetic structure from a uniform state, through the SV state up to the development of the domain walls indicative of MD states. For a cuboctahedral grain of magnetite, we identify clear domain walls in grains as small as ∼3 μm with domain wall widths equal to that expected in large MD grains; we therefore put the SV to MD transition at ∼3 μm for magnetite and expect well‐defined, and stable, SV structures to be present until at least ∼1 μm when reducing the grain size. Reducing the size further shows critical dependence on the history of domain structures, particularly with SV states that transition through a so‐called “unstable zone” leading to the recently observed hard‐aligned SV states that proceed to unwind to SD yet remain hard aligned.
Harmonic Factors in the Perception of Tonal Melodies

By common assumption, the first step in processing a tonal melody consists in setting up the appropriate metrical and harmonic frames required for the mental representation of the sequence of tones. Focusing on the generation of a harmonic frame, this study aims (a) to discover the factors that facilitate or interfere with the development of a harmonic interpretation, and (b) to test the hypothesis that goodness ratings of tone sequences largely depend on whether the listener succeeds in creating a suitable harmonic interpretation. In two experiments, listeners rated the melodic goodness of selected sequences of 10 and 13 tones and indicated which individual tones seemed not to fit. Results indicate that goodness ratings (a) are higher the more common the induced harmonic progression, (b) are strongly affected by the occurrence and position of nonchord tones: sequences without nonchord tones were rated highest, sequences with anchoring nonchord tones intermediately, and nonanchoring nonchord tones lowest. The explanation offered is compared with predictions derived from other theories, which leads to the conclusion that when a tone sequence is perceived as a melody, it is represented in terms of its underlying harmony, in which exact pitch-height characteristics play a minor role.
Federal Subsidy for Laid-Off Workers' Health Insurance: A First Year's Report Card for the New COBRA Premium Assistance

Time-limited ARRA subsidies to laid-off workers for COBRA continuation coverage have substantially raised enrollment, even though layoffs sharply cut household income. The two largest data sets reviewed here showed average rises in take-up rates of 43 percent and 100 percent. However, rates varied widely across employers, and tax-subsidy claims to the IRS are thus far running much lower than expected. Coming closer to universal coverage for this population or for all Americans would require higher subsidy and possibly also a mandate to obtain coverage-two features that increase COBRA participation in a separate Massachusetts program for unemployed residents.
A Study from Slovakia on the Transfer of Slovak Companies to Tax Havens and Their Impact on the Sustainability of the Status of a Business Entity

The main aim of this paper is to provide empirical evidence about profit-shifting to selected tax havens by Slovak companies. This contribution focused on the very rare evidence of use of tax havens by Slovak companies not only in the field of corporate income tax, but also in selected areas of profitability. Two sources of data were used. Lists of Slovak companies with tax haven links were provided by the company, Bisnode, and financial statements of investigated companies were gained from the Finstat database. Based on the available data, the investigated period was between 2008 and 2016. We statistically tested selected indicators (ETR, taxes per assets, ROE, ROA, and ROS) of Slovak companies with direct ownership links to tax havens compared to their counterparts. Our findings suggest that Slovak companies with an ownership link to tax havens pay significantly lower taxes compared to companies without ownership links to tax havens during the period monitored. The aggressive tax planning was not only confirmed by the significantly lower reported values of ETR and taxes per assets, but also by the lower values of ROA. On the one side, Slovak companies with ownership links to midshore tax havens had the highest values of ROE, ROA, and ROS, but on the other side, these Slovak companies reported the highest ETR among the appointed categories (onshore, midshore, and offshore). The lowest taxes paid per unit of total assets were found in Slovak companies with ownership links to onshore tax havens. The analysis was supplemented by the changes of the selected indicators before and after obtaining an ownership link to a tax haven.
Modelling organizational learning from successes in the nuclear industry: Staff meetings as forums of knowledge sharing and acquisition

Utilizing lessons learned from successful experiences in the context of safety-critical organizations has been receiving increasing interest among both scientific and practitioner communities. However, despite the attention, there is a need to better understand how success-related knowledge can be utilized to ensure safety and what tools and practices can be used to facilitate this process. In this paper, we focus on staff meetings as forums of knowledge sharing and acquisition. We describe staff meeting practices from empirical case studies, carried out at two Nordic nuclear power plants, and examine how the staff meetings contribute to organizational learning from successes. Based on these insights, we propose an integrative framework that aims to identify the factors that facilitate or hinder organizational learning from successes.
Motivations of online gaming and identification of avatar predict internet gaming disorder’s symptoms among youth in Malaysia

There is a need to further study on Internet Gaming Disorder’s symptoms in Malaysia context due to its limited research. Furthermore, the study of multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games has received inadequate scholarly attention in Malaysia, and also pathological online gaming behaviour is growing among youth in Malaysia. The purpose of the study is to examine the predictive effect of achievement motivation, social motivation, immersion motivation, and identification of avatar on Internet Gaming Disorder’s symptoms. Crosssectional research design was employed and purposive sampling method was applied in selecting participants who are (1) MOBA gamers; (2) between 18 to 29 years old; (3) have 12 months gaming experience and above. 781 respondents were recruited and 706 of respondents were used in actual study analysis. Instruments used included Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short-Form, Player-Avatar Identification Scale, and Online Gaming Motivations Scale. Current results presented that immersion motivation and identification of avatar are significant positive predictors of Internet Gaming Disorder’s symptoms, and social motivation is a significant negative predictor of Internet Gaming Disorder’s symptoms, however, achievement motivation did not significantly predict Internet Gaming Disorder’s symptoms. Self-Determination Theory and Social Identity Theory were employed in the study. Mental health professionals can design their interventions to educate youth in Malaysia to adopt healthy coping mechanisms to deal with daily stress, to teach youths the ways to form offline social support and also form meaningful self-identity in the real world.
Acute Effect of Mini-Trampoline Jumping on Vertical Jump and Balance Performance

Jumping and balance are necessary skills for most athletes, and mini-trampoline training has been shown to improve them. Little is known about the acute effect of mini-trampoline jumping on jump performance and dynamic balance. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of 6 maximal jumps on a mini-trampoline on countermovement vertical jump (CMVJ) variables and on balance parameters. Methods: Twenty one recreationally trained individuals participated in three testing sessions and were either allocated to a control group (N=10) or a trampoline group (N=11). All the participants performed a dynamic warm up prior to their assessments. Baseline CMVJ and balance assessments were measured. For the jump performance tests, the control group rested for 30s, and the trampoline group performed 6 maximal CMVJs on a mini-trampoline. Immediately following the trampoline jumps or the rest period, participants performed three jump trials. The jumping protocol was repeated every minute up to 5 minutes and balance was reassessed immediately after only. Results: There was no significant interaction of time by group and no group effects in all the jumping parameters, however, there was a significant increase in jump height (p <0.001) post-condition, and a significant decrease in peak power (p= 0.01) at the 4th minute for both groups. There was no significant interaction of time by condition, no time effect and no group effect (p>0.05) on the balance variables. Conclusion: These results do not support our hypothesis and show that trampoline jumping does not improve jump and balance performance acutely.
Classroom Assessment to Support Teaching and Learning

Classroom assessment includes both formative assessment, used to adapt instruction and help students to improve, and summative assessment, used to assign grades. These two forms of assessment must be coherently linked through a well-articulated model of learning. Sociocultural theory is an encompassing grand theory that integrates motivation and cognitive development, and it enables the design of equitable learning environments. Learning progressions are examples of fine-grained models of learning, representing goals, intermediate stages, and instructional means for reaching those goals. A model for creating a productive classroom learning culture is proposed. Rather than seeking coherence with standardized tests, which undermines the learning orientation of formative assessment, I propose seeking coherence with ambitious teaching practices. The proposed model also offers ways to minimize the negative effects of grading on learning. Support for teachers to learn these new assessment practices is most likely to be successful in the context of professional development for new curriculum and standards.
Aerodynamic characteristics of flapping wings under steady lateral inflow

This experimental study investigates the effect of a uniform lateral inflow on the aerodynamic characteristics of flapping wings. Seven designated sideward ratios in the hovering condition and in the presence of a contralateral wing and a body were taken into account as variables in order to secure a better understanding of wing–wing and/or wing–body interactions under the lateral inflow. Our results from the single-wing cases clarified that an inflow running from the wingroot strengthened the leading-edge vortex, thereby augmenting the aerodynamic force/moment. The inflow running in the opposite direction drastically bent the leading-edge vortex to the trailing edge, but the cycle-averaged aerodynamic force/moment was barely changed. This led to substantial imbalances in the force/moment on the two wings. The roll moment on a centre of gravity and the static margin suggested flight instability in the lateral direction, similar to previous studies. We found that the wing–wing interaction was not completely negligible overall under a lateral inflow. A massive downwash induced by the wing on the windward side nearly neutralized the aerodynamic force/moment augmentations on the other wing with lower effective angles of attack. The wing–wing interaction also gave rise to a low-lift high-drag situation during the pitching-up wing rotation, resulting in greater side force derivatives than the theory of flapping counterforce. Further calculations of the roll moment and the static margin with the centre of gravity showed that the wing–wing interaction can improve static stability in the lateral direction. This mainly stemmed from both the attenuation of the lift augmentation and the elimination of the positive roll moment of the flapping-wing system.
Impaired Mitochondrial Fusion and Oxidative Phosphorylation Triggered by High Glucose Is Mediated by Tom22 in Endothelial Cells

Much evidence demonstrates that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of vascular complications of diabetes. However, the signaling pathways through which hyperglycemia leads to mitochondrial dysfunction of endothelial cells are not fully understood. Here, we treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with high glucose and examined the role of translocase of mitochondrial outer membrane (Tom) 22 on mitochondrial dynamics and cellular function. Impaired Tom22 expression and protein expression of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) as well as decreased mitochondrial fusion were observed in HUVECs treated with high glucose. The deletion of Tom22 resulted in reduced mitochondrial fusion and ATP production and increased apoptosis in HUVECs. The overexpression of Tom22 restored the balance of mitochondrial dynamics and OXPHOS disrupted by high glucose. Importantly, we found that Tom22 modulates mitochondrial dynamics and OXPHOS by interacting with mitofusin (Mfn) 1. Taken together, our findings demonstrate for the first time that Tom22 is a novel regulator of both mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergetic function and contributes to cell survival following high-glucose exposure.
Associations between family structure and social-emotional development among school-aged children in mainland China

ABSTRACT This study examines the associations between family structure and social-emotional development among school-aged children in mainland China. Data were drawn from a survey administered in Tianjin, China, which included 431 single-parent and 544 two-parent samples. Overall, children from two-parent families scored significantly higher on measures of social-emotional development. However, these associated were attenuated when controlling for protective factors. The protective factors buffered the majority of effects in a mediation analysis. These findings provide direction for developing targeted social work policies and interventions.
Heavy infection of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, Sauvage 1878) and its treatment trial by different therapeutic agents in a control environment

ABSTRACT Striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) fingerlings were stocked (60 fishes/m3) in cemented square tanks for ornamental fishery purposes at the College Fish Farm in Mangalore. A total of 400 fishes with a mean weight (g) ranging from 3.24 ± 1.21 to 6.70 ± 1.13 and a mean length (cm) of 7.50 ± 0.94 to 9.50 ± 1.10 were examined. A severe outbreak of salt-like granule white spots was found on the body surface. Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, a ciliate pathogen, was identified as the causative agent by clinical signs, wet mount, and histopathological observations. Infected fishes were transferred and equally distributed to the 0.45 m3 glass aquaria and treated with three treatments: (T1) methylene blue + salt; (T2) raising temperature with salt; and (T3) formalin + malachite green. The best fingerling survival (55 ± 9.36%) was obtained by elevated water temperature with salt in T2.
PHOSPHORUS RELEASE FROM SEDIMENTS IN

The release of phosphorus (P) from lake sediments to the water column is important to lake water quality. Previous research on sediment P release has largely been in deeper, stratified lakes where hypolimnetic anoxia can lead to very high sediment P release rates. Recent studies suggest that sediment P release may also be important in large shallow lakes. Sediment P release in shallow lakes is poorly understood, and it is important that lake managers have a better understanding of how it influences lake nutrient budgets. This research developed a P budget for Shawano Lake, a large shallow lake in north central Wisconsin, and used the sediment P release to explain the difference between measured loads and summer P increases in the lake. Laboratory derived P release rates from intact sediment cores taken from littoral areas of Shawano Lake exhibit mean P release rates that are high under anoxic conditions (1.25 mg m d) and lower, although still significant, under oxic conditions (0.25 mg m d). When compared to the other components of the summer P budget, internal sediment P load accounted for 71% (46% to 81% range) of the summer P budget. This P release could be explained with an oxic P release rate of 0.31 mg m d (0.10 to 0.49 mg m d range). Sediment P release was clearly important to P concentrations in Shawano Lake as it accounted for the largest source of P in the monitored summers. This internal P source is a vital P pathway to the lake and should be considered when attempting to manage P cycling in Shawano Lake and other shallow lakes.
Biochemical study of DNA markers for Bacterial infection in bovine mastitis

Mastitis is a multifactorial disease and very difficult to control. It results from injury, chemical irritation and infection caused by different bacterial species. Mastitis remains one of the most common economic problems of dairy industry worldwide as it is the most expensive disease of dairy animals resulting in the reduction of milk production and quality. These expenses in terms of reduction of production, discarding milk, drug therapy, veterinarian charges, culling of incurable animals and extrause of labor. Analysis of bacteriological examination of milk samples was made to identify the main etiological agents involved in the disease. The organisms were identified on the basis of their cultural, staining characteristics, biochemical reactions . and molecular detection. Milk sample of 23 cows, which were positive for California mastitis test, cultured for microbiological examination in the study period. Two bacterial species were isolated, Staphylococcus aureus (Staph. aureus) and E. coli bacterial isolates. The predominant isolated bacteria were Staph. aureus with isolation rate of 37.77% however E. coli was isolated with isolation rate of 13.33%). Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme and calcium levels were highly significant decreased while C-Reactive protein (CRP) titre and phosphorus levels were highly significant increased. Lactate dehydrogenase enzyme(LDH), Aspartate aminotransferase enzyme(AST), Gamma-glutamyl transferase enzyme(GGT), Albumin, sodium, potassium and chloride levels were nonsignificantly changed in serum of mastitic cows compared to healthy ones. While LDH, ALP and phosphorus levels were highly significant increase in milk of mastitic cows compared to that of healthy ones. However, the calcium level was high significantly decreased in mastitic cows compared to healthy ones. Molecular detection of Staph. aureus and E. coli isolates by PCR. The expected sizes of PCR products of Staph. aureus was (984bp), while that for E. coli were (662bp).