Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activities of Drug Combinations against Mycobacterium tuberculosis Grown in Aerobic and Hypoxic Acidic Conditions

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium tuberculosis is exposed to hypoxia and acidity within granulomatous lesions. In this study, an acidic culture model of M. tuberculosis was used to test drug activity against aerobic 5-day-old (A5) and hypoxic 5-, 12-, and 19-day-old (H5, H12, and H19, respectively) bacilli after 7, 14, and 21 days of exposure. In A cultures, CFU and pH rapidly increased, while in H cultures growth stopped and pH increased slightly. Ten drugs were tested: rifampin (R), isoniazid (I), pyrazinamide (Z), ethambutol (E), moxifloxacin (MX), amikacin (AK), metronidazole (MZ), nitazoxanide (NZ), niclosamide (NC), and PA-824 (PA). Rifampin was the most active against A5, H5, H12, and H19 bacilli. Moxifloxacin and AK efficiently killed A5 and H5 cells, I was active mostly against A5 cells, Z was most active against H12 and H19 cells, and E showed low activity. Among nitrocompounds, NZ, NC, and PA were effective against A5, H5, H12, and H19 cells, while MZ was active against H12 and H19 cells. To kill all A and H cells, A5- and H5-active agents R, MX, and AK were used in combination with MZ, NZ, NC, or PA, in comparison with R-I-Z-E, currently used for human therapy. Mycobacterial viability was determined by CFU and a sensitive test in broth (day to positivity, MGIT 960 system). As shown by lack of regrowth in MGIT, the most potent combination was R-MX-AK-PA, which killed all A5, H5, H12, and H19 cells in 14 days. These observations demonstrate the sterilizing effect of drug combinations against cells of different M. tuberculosis stages grown in aerobic and hypoxic acidic conditions.
Population Analysis of Escherichia coli Isolates with Discordant Resistance Levels by Piperacillin-Tazobactam Broth Microdilution and Agar Dilution Testing

ABSTRACT Population analysis was performed for 42 Escherichia coli isolates to determine whether heterogeneity of resistance was a factor in piperacillin-tazobactam category differences between agar dilution and broth microdilution. Of 20 isolates discordant between methods, 80% were heterogeneous. Of 22 isolates in agreement, 59% were homogeneous. Heterogeneity and homogeneity rates for those in agreement were significantly different from those that were discordant (P value, 0.010). Heterogeneity of resistance expression appears to be an important factor in category differences observed between broth microdilution and agar dilution for piperacillin-tazobactam.
Validity of the six stages of change for exercise

We examined the validity of ‘Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change’ six stages in exercise domain. A paper-pencil survey was completed by 457 workers. Self-efficacy tended to increase from Precontemplation to Action, did not change from Action to Maintenance, and then increase from Maintenance to Termination. Pros tended to increase and cons decrease only from Precontemplation to Action. A follow-up survey was completed by 331 workers. More preparers (25.4%) moved to Action compared to precontemplator (3.8%) and contemplators (6.5%). Relapse rates were lower among those in Termination (17.0%) than those in Action (43.8%) and Maintenance (38.1%). These results partially supported the validity.
Body esteem in Chinese adolescents: Effect of gender, age, and weight

This study examined the associations of body esteem with gender, age, and Body Mass Index (BMI) among 905 Hong Kong adolescents using the Body-Esteem Scale (BES). Older age, male gender and lower BMI were associated with better body esteem. Multiple regression analyses indicated significant main effects of gender, age and weight on BES-Total. Significant interaction effects of gender × BMI and gender × age × BMI were also found on BES-Weight (beta = −0.149, p = .028) and BES-Total (beta = −0.139, p = .044). Improvement of body esteem with age may be associated with age-related BMI differences.
Perceived control over physical and mental well-being: The effects of gender, age and social class

In a cross-sectional quota based survey 1013 adults (46% male, 54% female; aged 16–65+) in Northern Ireland from ABC1, C2 and DE social class groupings were asked about the perceived influence they have over their physical and mental health, and what types of lifestyle changes can improve health. Findings showed participants perceive that they have more control over their physical compared to mental health, with physical activity being the behaviour most likely to be adopted. Females were more likely than males to make lifestyle changes, including meeting friends, talking about things that were bothering them and trying relaxation techniques. These findings illustrate the need for health promotion to be directed at mental health, and encouraging males to consider adapting healthy lifestyle behaviours.
Development and preliminary validation of the Parent Efficacy for Child Healthy Weight Behaviour Scale

This study developed a new measure of parent self-efficacy for promoting healthy weight behaviours in their children, the Parent Efficacy for Child Healthy Weight Behaviour Scale (PECHWB). In total 601 primary caregivers of children aged 4–17 completed an online survey consisting of the PECHWB, a measure of general parenting self-efficacy, measures of parental depression, anxiety and stress and demographic questions. Factor analysis identified four PECHWB subscales with high levels of internal consistency. The PECHWB showed significant small positive correlations with a measure of global parenting self-efficacy and small negative correlations with measures of parental negative affect. This study provides initial evidence for the reliability and validity of the PECHWB. Future research is required to establish further evidence of the psychometric properties of the PECHWB scale in independent samples before the scale can be used in evaluating intervention outcomes.
Machiguenga energy expenditure

This article presents the results of a study of energy expended at typical activities and on average days, by adult women and men of a hunter‐gatherer‐horticulturalist population in south‐eastern Peru. Marked differences between the sexes in patterns of energy use are presented. The men tended to work at higher rates of energy expenditure than did the women. On the average day, representative of all activities in an annual cycle, the women expended only about 8.0 MJ (1925 Cals) whereas the men expended about 13.3 (3200 Cals). Seasonal analysis reveals an even greater contrast during the wet months. Relations between the Machiguenga and their upper Amazonian rain forest environment are considered in accounting for the observed patterns of energy expenditure. Factors such as differences in uses of technology, work settings, and population composition are related to the findings.
Postdischarge support for elective hip arthroplasty patients

This longitudinal study. n 29/ investigated the nature of provision of support available to postoperative discharge patients experiencing elective primary hip arthroplasty. Patients' expectations of support were investigated prior to discharge and at six weeks and three months postdischarge. The assessment tools used were the SF-36 Health Survey ( UK Acute Version) to measure health concepts, and an open ended qualitative questionnaire to investigate the nature of support provision. Patients were assessed between 5 -7 days while in the hospital and six weeks and three months postsurgical procedure. Results indicated a significant improvement in physical activity. p < 0:01/, pain. p < 0:1/, and social activity. p < 0:01/ over time for both groups; however, the pattern of change was different. Patients without partners or close family demonstrated slower patterns of recovery and different levels of physical and emotional factors affecting social function. Reported levels of pain interfering with daily life were greater at six weeks in patients without partners. p < 0:01/. Levels of perceived support were significantly different between the groups. p < 0:0004/ and levels of actual support were also signifi cantly different. p < 0:025/. This study, although small, suggests that patients without support may be more vulnerable in the early postoperative discharge period.
Image Forgery Detection Using Adaptive Oversegmentation and Feature Point Matching

A novel copy-move forgery detection scheme using adaptive oversegmentation and feature point matching is proposed in this paper. The proposed scheme integrates both block-based and keypoint-based forgery detection methods. First, the proposed adaptive oversegmentation algorithm segments the host image into nonoverlapping and irregular blocks adaptively. Then, the feature points are extracted from each block as block features, and the block features are matched with one another to locate the labeled feature points; this procedure can approximately indicate the suspected forgery regions. To detect the forgery regions more accurately, we propose the forgery region extraction algorithm, which replaces the feature points with small superpixels as feature blocks and then merges the neighboring blocks that have similar local color features into the feature blocks to generate the merged regions. Finally, it applies the morphological operation to the merged regions to generate the detected forgery regions. The experimental results indicate that the proposed copy-move forgery detection scheme can achieve much better detection results even under various challenging conditions compared with the existing state-of-the-art copy-move forgery detection methods.
Type D (distressed) personality and its assessment with the DS14 in Lithuanian patients with coronary artery disease

We examined Type D personality (combination of negative affectivity with social inhibition) and its assessment with the DS14 in 543 Lithuanian coronary patients. Psychometric analyses confirmed the two-factor structure, internal consistency (α = 0.84/α = 0.75), and test–retest reliability (r = 0.69/0.81) of the DS14 negative affectivity and inhibition components. Negative affectivity correlated (r = −0.58) with emotional stability and social inhibition (r = −0.46) with extraversion; correlations with other Big-Five traits ranged between r = −0.11 and −0.19. Type D patients (34%) had a ninefold increased odds of depression (95% confidence interval = 5.01–17.36) and a fivefold increased odds of anxiety (95% confidence interval = 3.47–7.97). These findings support the validity of the Type D construct in Lithuania.
Incompatible Natures of the HIV-1 Envelope in Resistance to the CCR5 Antagonist Cenicriviroc and to Neutralizing Antibodies

ABSTRACT Cenicriviroc is a CCR5 antagonist which prevents human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) from cellular entry. The CCR5-binding regions of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein are important targets for neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), and mutations conferring cenicriviroc resistance may therefore affect sensitivity to NAbs. Here, we used the in vitro induction of HIV-1 variants resistant to cenicriviroc or NAbs to examine the relationship between resistance to cenicriviroc and resistance to NAbs. The cenicriviroc-resistant variant KK652-67 (strain KK passaged 67 times in the presence of increasing concentrations of cenicriviroc) was sensitive to neutralization by NAbs against the V3 loop, the CD4-induced (CD4i) region, and the CD4-binding site (CD4bs), whereas the wild-type (WT) parental HIV-1 strain KKWT from which cenicriviroc-resistant strain KK652-67 was obtained was resistant to these NAbs. The V3 region of KK652-67 was important for cenicriviroc resistance and critical to the high sensitivity of the V3, CD4i, and CD4bs epitopes to NAbs. Moreover, induction of variants resistant to anti-V3 NAb 0. 5γ and anti-CD4i NAb 4E9C from cenicriviroc-resistant strain KK652-67 resulted in reversion to the cenicriviroc-sensitive phenotype comparable to that of the parental strain, KKWT. Resistance to 0. 5γ and 4E9C was caused by the novel substitutions R315K, G324R, and E381K in the V3 and C3 regions near the substitutions conferring cenicriviroc resistance. Importantly, these amino acid changes in the CCR5-binding region were also responsible for reversion to the cenicriviroc-sensitive phenotype. These results suggest the presence of key amino acid residues where resistance to cenicriviroc is incompatible with resistance to NAbs. This implies that cenicriviroc and neutralizing antibodies may restrict the emergence of variants resistant to each other.
‘Man up!’: Discursive constructions of non-drinkers among UK undergraduates

This study adopted a discursive approach to explore how not drinking alcohol (non-drinking) is construed in relation to masculine identity among 12 undergraduate interviewees. Three prominent discourses were revealed. First, non-drinking was constructed as something strange requiring explanation. Second, contradictory discourses constructed non-drinking as, simultaneously, unsociable yet reflective of greater sociability. Third, non-drinking was constructed as something which has greater negative social consequences for men than for women. Opportunities for challenging traditional gender role expectations are considered.
Message framing, it does a body good: Effects of message framing and motivational orientation on young women’s calcium consumption

We investigated the effects of gain-framed versus loss-framed messages and motivational orientation on calcium consumption. After completing a motivational orientation scale (behavioral inhibition system/behavioral activation system), undergraduate women (N = 141) were randomly assigned to read a gain-framed or loss-framed pamphlet promoting calcium consumption. Calcium consumption was assessed 1 month later. For calcium supplement behavior, a gain-framed advantage was observed for behavioral activation system–oriented individuals, whereas a loss-framed advantage was observed for behavioral inhibition system–oriented individuals. For dietary calcium intake, a gain-framed advantage was observed among behavioral activation system–oriented individuals; however, no framing effect emerged for behavioral inhibition system–oriented individuals. The success of framed messages depends on the message recipient’s motivational orientation.
Towards a communication characterization methodology for parallel applications

The interconnection network (ICN) is a vital component of a parallel machine and is often the limiting factor in the performance of several parallel applications. While ICN performance evaluation has been a widely researched topic, there have been very few studies that have used real applications to drive this research. In this paper we develop a framework for characterizing the communication properties of parallel applications. Message generation frequency, spatial distribution of messages and message length are the three attributes that quantify any communication. We develop a methodology to quantify these attributes, in particular the first two attributes. We employ two strategies, namely dynamic and static, in our methodology. In the former, the applications are executed on an execution-driven simulator called SPASM, while in the latter they are executed on a parallel machine, IBM SP2. We gather communication events from these executions and feed them to a 2-D mesh network simulator. The log of the network activity is then analyzed using a statistical analysis package (SAS) to find the message inter-arrival time distribution and spatial distribution via regression analysis. Five shared memory applications and two message passing applications are analyzed to quantify their communication workloads. It is shown that it is possible to express the message generation and spatial distribution of an application in terms of commonly used distributions. These distributions can be used in the analysis of ICNs for developing realistic performance models.
ICCDetector: ICC-Based Malware Detection on Android

Most existing mobile malware detection methods (e.g., Kirin and DroidMat) are designed based on the resources required by malwares (e.g., permissions, application programming interface (API) calls, and system calls). These methods capture the interactions between mobile apps and Android system, but ignore the communications among components within or cross application boundaries. As a consequence, the majority of the existing methods are less effective in identifying many typical malwares, which require a few or no suspicious resources, but leverage on inter-component communication (ICC) mechanism when launching stealthy attacks. To address this challenge, we propose a new malware detection method, named ICCDetector. ICCDetector outputs a detection model after training with a set of benign apps and a set of malwares, and employs the trained model for malware detection. The performance of ICCDetector is evaluated with 5264 malwares, and 12026 benign apps. Compared with our benchmark, which is a permission-based method proposed by Peng et al. in 2012 with an accuracy up to 88.2%, ICCDetector achieves an accuracy of 97.4%, roughly 10% higher than the benchmark, with a lower false positive rate of 0.67%, which is only about a half of the benchmark. After manually analyzing false positives, we discover 43 new malwares from the benign data set, and reduce the number of false positives to seven. More importantly, ICCDetector discovers 1708 more advanced malwares than the benchmark, while it misses 220 obvious malwares, which can be easily detected by the benchmark. For the detected malwares, ICCDetector further classifies them into five newly defined malware categories, which help understand the relationship between malicious behaviors and ICC characteristics. We also provide a systemic analysis of ICC patterns of benign apps and malwares.
Low-temperature Synthesis of Heterostructures of Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Alloys (WxMo1-xS2) and Graphene with Superior Catalytic Performance for Hydrogen Evolution.

Large-area (∼cm2) films of vertical heterostructures formed by alternating graphene and transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) alloys are obtained by wet chemical routes followed by a thermal treatment at low temperature. In particular, we synthesized stacked graphene and WxMo1-xS2 alloy phases that were used as hydrogen evolution catalysts. We observed a Tafel slope of 38.7 mV dec-1 and 96 mV onset potential (at current density of 10 mA cm-2) when the heterostructure alloy was annealed at 300 °C. These results indicate that heterostructures formed by graphene and W0.4Mo0. 6S2 alloys are far more efficient than WS2 and MoS2 by at least a factor of 2, and they are superior compared to other reported TMD systems. This strategy offers a cheap and low temperature synthesis alternative able to replace Pt in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Furthermore, the catalytic activity of the alloy is stable over time, i.e., the catalytic activity does not experience a significant change even after 1000 cycles. Using density functional theory calculations, we found that this enhanced hydrogen evolution in the WxMo1-xS2 alloys is mainly due to the lower energy barrier created by a favorable overlap of the d-orbitals from the transition metals and the s-orbitals of H2; with the lowest energy barrier occurring for the W0.4Mo0. 6S2 alloy. Thus, it is now possible to further improve the performance of the "inert" TMD basal plane via metal alloying, in addition to the previously reported strategies such as creation of point defects, vacancies and edges. The synthesis of graphene/W0.4Mo0. 6S2 produced at relatively low temperatures is scalable and could be used as an effective low cost Pt-free catalyst.
Nephrotoxicity in Patients with or without Cystic Fibrosis Treated with Polymyxin B Compared to Colistin

ABSTRACT Nephrotoxicity is the primary adverse effect of the polymyxins. The relative rates of toxicity of polymyxin B and colistin have not been fully elucidated, especially in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). A retrospective cohort study of adults treated with polymyxin B or colistin for at least 48 h was conducted. The primary endpoint was the incidence of kidney injury assessed by RIFLE (i.e., risk, injury, failure, loss, end-stage renal disease) criteria. Risk factors for kidney injury were evaluated using multivariate Cox regression. A total of 414 patients were evaluated, 220 of whom had CF. In patients without CF, there was no difference in kidney injury with polymyxin B and colistin (42.9% versus 50.3%, P = 0.46). Loop diuretic exposure was a risk factor for kidney injury (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16 to 2.83) in this population. In patients with CF, polymyxin B and colistin were associated with similar rates of kidney injury (34.5% versus 29.8%, P = 0.77). Diabetes (aHR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.01 to 7.11), loop diuretics (aHR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.36 to 6.73), and progressive care unit admission (aHR, 8.21; 95% CI, 2.55 to 26.46) were risk factors for kidney injury, while higher baseline serum creatinine levels (per 1 mg/dl) were protective (aHR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.48). Total unadjusted kidney injury in polymyxin-treated patients was less frequent in those who had CF (30.5% versus 48.5%, P < 0.001). Polymyxin B and colistin are associated with a high incidence of kidney injury; cystic fibrosis may be protective against polymyxin nephrotoxicity, but further investigation is needed to confirm this conjecture.
Validation of the antenatal perceived stress inventory

This article presents the Antenatal Perceived Stress Inventory. The originality of this scale is to assess the impact of events experienced during pregnancy on the stress perceived by mothers. Scale validation was performed using data from 150 French-speaking nulliparous mothers and collected between 36 and 39 weeks of gestation (T1), and between 2 days (T2) and 6 weeks postpartum (T3). Factor analysis revealed a hierarchical three-factor structure that closely fit the data, including medical and obstetric risks/fetal health (F1), psychosocial changes (F2), and the prospect of childbirth (F3). The Antenatal Perceived Stress Inventory is a valid French prenatal stress scale with good psychometric properties.
Heterogeneous memory architectures: A HW/SW approach for mixing die-stacked and off-package memories

Die-stacked DRAM is a technology that will soon be integrated in high-performance systems. Recent studies have focused on hardware caching techniques to make use of the stacked memory, but these approaches require complex changes to the processor and also cannot leverage the stacked memory to increase the system's overall memory capacity. In this work, we explore the challenges of exposing the stacked DRAM as part of the system's physical address space. This non-uniform access memory (NUMA) styled approach greatly simplifies the hardware and increases the physical memory capacity of the system, but pushes the burden of managing the heterogeneous memory architecture (HMA) to the software layers. We first explore simple (and somewhat impractical) schemes to manage the HMA, and then refine the mechanisms to address a variety of hardware and software implementation challenges. In the end, we present an HMA approach with low hardware and software impact that can dynamically tune itself to different application scenarios, achieving performance even better than the (impractical-to-implement) baseline approaches.