Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What does age-comparative self-rated health measure? A cross-sectional study from the Northern Sweden MONICA Project

Aims: Self-rated health comprehensively accounts for many health domains. Using self-ratings and a knowledge of associations with health domains might help personnel in the health care sector to understand reports of ill health. The aim of this paper was to investigate associations between age-comparative self-rated health and disease, risk factors, emotions and psychosocial factors in a general population. Methods: We based our study on population-based cross-sectional surveys performed in 1999, 2004 and 2009 in northern Sweden. Participants were 25–74 years of age and 5314 of the 7500 people invited completed the survey. Comparative self-rated health was measured on a three-grade ordinal scale by the question ‘How would you assess your general health condition compared to persons of your own age? ’ with the alternatives ‘better’, ‘worse’ or ‘similar’. The independent variables were sex, age, blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, self-reported myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes, physical activity, smoking, risk of unemployment, satisfaction with economic situation, anxiety and depressive emotions, education and Karasek scale of working conditions. Odds ratios using ordinal regression were calculated. Results: Age, sex, stroke, myocardial infarction, diabetes, body mass index, physical activity, economic satisfaction, anxiety and depressive emotions were associated with comparative self-rated health. The risk of unemployment, a tense work situation and educational level were also associated with comparative self-rated health, although they were considerably weaker when adjusted for the the other variables. Anxiety, depressive emotions, low economic satisfaction and a tense work situation were common in the population. Conclusions: Emotions and economic satisfaction were associated with comparative self-rated health as well as some medical variables. Utilization of the knowledge of these associations in health care should be further investigated.
Trust Matters in Health Care

In the UK, health service trust has traditionally played an important part in the relationships between its three key actors: the state, health care practitioners, and patients and the public. However, in recent years the micro relationship between patient and health care practitioner and the macro environment in which these relationships operate have been subject to considerable change as the NHS has been modernised. Today, patients are expected to play a more active role, both in self-managing their illness and in patient choice of provider. Has increasing patient self-management changed trust relations with health professionals, potentially requiring a more equal relationship based on mutual trust? Has patient choice made institutional trust and the extent to which patients and referring clinicians trust particular health care organisations a greater priority? Can performance data regarding waiting times and clinical outcomes be trusted by practitioners and patients, and how do they affect institutional trust? These questions are the focus of this unique book which provides a detailed theoretical, empirical and policy analysis of the nature, salience and impact of trust on relations between patients, clinicians, and health service managers. By drawing on empirical research which for the first time has explored how trust operates across the spectrum of relationships found in the 'new NHS', its analysis will be of interest to policy makers, health care practitioners and health service managers.
On Tool Support for Duration Calculus on the Basis of Presburger Arithmetic

Interval Logics are often very expressive logics for which decision and model-checking algorithms are hard or even impossible to achieve, and this also applies for Duration Calculus, which adds the notion of accumulated duration to the Interval Temporal Logic introduced by Moszkowski et al. In this ongoing work, we report on our experiences with implementing the model-checking algorithm introduce by Fränzle and Hansen, which reduces model checking to checking formulas of Presburger arithmetic. The model-checking algorithm generates Presburger formulas that may have sizes being exponential in the chop depth of the Duration Calculus formulas, so it is not clear whether this is a feasible approach. The decision procedure is partitioned into a front end with reductions including "cheap", equation-based quantifier eliminations, and a general quantifier-elimination procedure, where we have experimented with an implementation based on Cooper's algorithm and with the SMT solver Z3. The formula reductions are facilitated using a new 'guarded normal form'. Applying the front end before a general quantifier elimination procedure gave significant improvements for most of the experiments.
Laboratory evaluation of cases of meningitis attending a tertiary care hospital in India: An observational study

Context: Diagnosis of infection involving the central nervous system is of critical importance. Aims, Settings and Design: Objectives were to isolate and identify the organisms causing bacterial meningitis in patients admitted in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital in Bihar, India. To assess the clinical presentation and to further determine the isolates causing meningitis by antigen testing. Materials and Methods: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples were collected from 83 patients with signs and symptoms of meningitis and were cultured on 5% sheep blood agar, MacConkey's agar and chocolate agar. Smears were made with the centrifuged deposit of CSF and stained by Gram stain, Ziehl Neelsen stain and negative staining. The supernatant was used for latex agglutination test (LAT). Antibiotics susceptibility tests were also performed for all isolates. Statistical Analysis Used: S.S. P.E version 11. Results: Most of the cases of meningitis occurred in winter and spring. Out of 83 cases 38 (45.8%) were found to be cases of bacterial meningitis. The most common presenting feature in both bacterial and aseptic meningitis was fever, followed by altered sensorium. Only 15.7% (13/83) of cases had neck rigidity. The organisms isolated were Escherichia coli 25.6% (10/39), Staphylococcus aureus 15.4% (6/39), Streptococcus pneumonia 10.2% (4/39), Klebsiella species 10.2% (4/39) and Pseudomonas areuginosa 10.2% (4/39). LAT detected bacterial antigens in 16.9% (14/38) cases. The common etiological agent identified was E. coli 10/38 (71.4%) and followed by Streptococcus pneumonia 4/38 (28.6%). Conclusions: To conclude, Gram negative bacilli were found to be more frequently isolated in our series of patients with E. coli being the most common isolate. Established organisms of meningitis such as Haemophilus influenzae and Niesseria meningitidis were not isolated at all, despite all our efforts.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Achromobacter sp. Clonal Selection Leads to Successive Waves of Contamination of Water in Dental Care Units

ABSTRACT Dental care unit waterlines (DCUWs) consist of complex networks of thin tubes that facilitate the formation of microbial biofilms. Due to the predilection toward a wet environment, strong adhesion, biofilm formation, and resistance to biocides, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major human opportunistic pathogen, is adapted to DCUW colonization. Other nonfermentative Gram-negative bacilli, such as members of the genus Achromobacter, are emerging pathogens found in water networks. We reported the 6.5-year dynamics of bacterial contamination of waterlines in a dental health care center with 61 dental care units (DCUs) connected to the same water supply system. The conditions allowed the selection and the emergence of clones of Achromobacter sp. and P. aeruginosa characterized by multilocus sequence typing, multiplex repetitive elements-based PCR, and restriction fragment length polymorphism in pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, biofilm formation, and antimicrobial susceptibility. One clone of P. aeruginosa and 2 clones of Achromobacter sp. colonized successively all of the DCUWs: the last colonization by P. aeruginosa ST309 led to the closing of the dental care center. Successive dominance of species and clones was linked to biocide treatments. Achromobacter strains were weak biofilm producers compared to P. aeruginosa ST309, but the coculture of P. aeruginosa and Achromobacter enhanced P. aeruginosa ST309 biofilm formation. Intraclonal genomic microevolution was observed in the isolates of P. aeruginosa ST309 collected chronologically and in Achromobacter sp. clone A. The contamination control was achieved by a complete reorganization of the dental health care center by removing the connecting tubes between DCUs.
Self-Powered Ultraviolet Photodetector with Superhigh Photoresponsivity (3.05 A/W) Based on the GaN/Sn:Ga2O3 pn Junction.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has a variety of impacts including the health of humans, the production of crops, and the lifetime of buildings. Based on the photovoltaic effect, self-powered UV photodetectors can measure and monitor UV radiation without any power consumption. However, the current low photoelectric performance of these detectors has hindered their practical use. In our study, a super-high-performance self-powered UV photodetector based on a GaN/Sn:Ga2O3 pn junction was generated by depositing a Sn-doped n-type Ga2O3 thin film onto a p-type GaN thick film. The responsivity at 254 nm reached up to 3.05 A/W without a power supply and had a high UV/visible rejection ratio of R254 nm/ R400 nm = 5.9 × 103 and an ideal detectivity at 1.69 × 1013 cm·Hz1/2·W-1, which is well beyond the level of previous self-powered UV photodetectors. Moreover, our device also has a low dark current (1.8 × 10-11A), a high Iphoto/ Idark ratio (∼104), and a fast photoresponse time of 18 ms without bias. These outstanding performance results are attributed to the rapid separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs driven by a high built-in electric field in the interface depletion region of the GaN/Sn:Ga2O3 pn junction. Our results provide an improved and easy route to constructing high-performance self-powered UV photodetectors that can potentially replace traditional high-energy-consuming UV detection systems.
Archaeal Populations in Hypersaline Sediments Underlying Orange Microbial Mats in the Napoli Mud Volcano

ABSTRACT Microbial mats in marine cold seeps are known to be associated with ascending sulfide- and methane-rich fluids. Hence, they could be visible indicators of anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) and methane cycling processes in underlying sediments. The Napoli mud volcano is situated in the Olimpi Area that lies on saline deposits; from there, brine fluids migrate upward to the seafloor. Sediments associated with a brine pool and microbial orange mats of the Napoli mud volcano were recovered during the Medeco cruise. Based on analysis of RNA-derived sequences, the “active” archaeal community was composed of many uncultured lineages, such as rice cluster V or marine benthic group D. Function methyl coenzyme M reductase (mcrA) genes were affiliated with the anaerobic methanotrophic Archaea (ANME) of the ANME-1, ANME-2a, and ANME-2c groups, suggesting that AOM occurred in these sediment layers. Enrichment cultures showed the presence of viable marine methylotrophic Methanococcoides in shallow sediment layers. Thus, the archaeal community diversity seems to show that active methane cycling took place in the hypersaline microbial mat-associated sediments of the Napoli mud volcano.
Consumption of healthy foods and associated socio-demographic factors among Russian, Somali and Kurdish immigrants in Finland

Aims: We evaluated the consumption of healthy foods among Russian, Somali and Kurdish immigrants in Finland, and examined the relationship between socio-demographic factors and food consumption. Methods: We used data from the Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study (Maamu), a population-based health interview and examination survey in six different municipalities in Finland between 2010 and 2012. Altogether, 635 men and 737 women, aged 18–64 years, of Russian (n = 527), Somali (n = 337) and Kurdish (n = 508) origin were included. The important socio-demographic determinants of healthy food consumption – sex, age, education, place of residence and household size – were assessed by logistic regression. Results: Based on the consumption frequencies of recommended healthy foods – fruits, berries, vegetables, fish and rye bread – immigrants of Russian origin had higher consumption of healthy foods than their peers of Kurdish and Somali origin. Low consumption of fresh vegetables, fruits and berries was found among Somali immigrants. Sex and age were the most important determinants of healthy food consumption, as women and older age groups had diets closer to the national nutrition recommendations. High educational level was also positively associated with healthy food consumption. Conclusions: We found ethnic differences in the consumption of healthy foods among the immigrant groups of Russian, Somali and Kurdish origin in Finland. Socio-demographic factors, especially age, sex and education, seem to also play an important role in immigrants’ food consumption. Further studies examining the consumption of fruits, berries and fresh vegetables among Somali immigrants in Finland are needed.
The factor structure of the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL-25) in a student population: A cautionary tale

Aims: The Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL-25) is a widely used self-report measurement for mental health problems, but its factor structure is still uncertain, with divergent results in different social or cultural settings. We aimed to investigate the previously suggested factor structures of the HSCL-25, as well as a model including an explicit somatic factor among students in Norway. Methods: The study population is based on data from the Norwegian study of students’ health and wellbeing, SHoT (‘Studentenes Helse- og Trivselsundersøkelse’), and the present study comprises N = 13,525 participants. Using confirmatory factor analyses we investigated previously suggested factor structures, as well as a 3-factor structure, with specific subscales for anxiety, depression and somatic symptoms, suggested by the authors. After identification of the best-fitting model(s), measurement invariance across sexes, as well as associations with self-reported socioeconomic and social factors, use of medication and help-seeking behaviour were examined. Results: Based on the fit indices alone, bi-factor models fitted the data the best. However, upon further scrutiny when exploring the viability of the bi-factor models, we deemed the reliability of the specific subscales as extremely low and not viable as subscales. We therefore suggest that a uni-dimensional model was the most appropriate in our study. Conclusions: Based on considerations of fit indices, viability of subscales and associations with social and socioeconomic factors we suggest that a uni-dimensional model is most appropriate for HSCL-25 in a student population. Future investigations should examine how the revisions could improve the psychometric properties of the scale.
Organized leisure-time sport participation and academic achievement in preadolescents

Aims: The aims of this study were to study the correlation between lifestyle-related factors, such as organized leisure-time sport participation (OLSP), cardiorespiratory fitness, and adiposity, and academic achievement among preadolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 248 nine-year-old school children was carried out. OLSP was self-reported with parental assistance, categorized as ≤ 1× a week, 2–3× a week, and ≥ 4× times a week or more. Academic achievement was estimated with results from standardized test scores in Icelandic and math. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated using a maximal cycle ergometer test. The sum of four skinfolds was used to estimate adiposity. Results: Tests of between-subjects effect indicated that OLSP significantly correlated with achievement in math only (F(2,235) = 3.81, p = 0.024). Further analysis showed that the two less active groups had significantly lower scores in math compared to the most active group with OLSP ≥ 4× times a week or more (2–3× times a week, unstandardized coefficient (b) = –4.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) [–7.09, –1.07]; ≤ 1× a week, b = −3.84, 95% CI [–7.59, –0.08]), independent of sex, age, maturity level (age to/from peak height velocity), family structure, and parental education. Neither cardiorespiratory fitness nor adiposity significantly correlated with academic achievements. Conclusions: The study’s result indicates that frequent (four times per week or more often) sport participation is not harmful but may be beneficial to learning. However, further intervention-based study of this topic is needed to determine if this relationship is causal.
Novel Electrochemically Active Bacterium Phylogenetically Related to Arcobacter butzleri, Isolated from a Microbial Fuel Cell

ABSTRACT Exoelectrogenic bacteria are organisms that can transfer electrons to extracellular insoluble electron acceptors and have the potential to be used in devices such as microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Currently, exoelectrogens have been identified in the Alpha-, Beta-, Gamma- and Deltaproteobacteria, as well as in the Firmicutes and Acidobacteria. Here, we describe use of culture-independent methods to identify two members of the genus Arcobacter in the Epsilonproteobacteria that are selectively enriched in an acetate-fed MFC. One of these organisms, Arcobacter butzleri strain ED-1, associates with the electrode and rapidly generates a strong electronegative potential as a pure culture when it is supplied with acetate. A mixed-community MFC in which ∼90% of the population is comprised of the two Arcobacter species generates a maximal power density of 296 mW/liter. This demonstration of exoelectrogenesis by strain ED-1 is the first time that this property has been shown for members of this genus.
A nanotube-mediated path to protocell formation

Cellular compartments are membrane-enclosed, spatially distinct microenvironments which confine and protect biochemical reactions in the biological cell. On the early Earth, the autonomous formation of compartments is thought to have led to the encapsulation of nucleotides, thereby satisfying a starting condition for the emergence of life. Recently, surfaces have come into focus as potential platforms for the self-assembly of prebiotic compartments, as significantly enhanced vesicle formation was reported in the presence of solid interfaces. The detailed mechanism of such formation at the mesoscale is still under discussion. We report here on the spontaneous transformation of solid surface-adhered lipid deposits to unilamellar membrane compartments through a straightforward sequence of topological changes, proceeding via a network of interconnected lipid nanotubes. We show that this transformation is entirely driven by surface-free energy minimization and does not require hydrolysis of organic molecules, or external stimuli such as electrical currents or mechanical agitation. The vesicular structures take up and encapsulate their external environment during formation, and can subsequently separate and migrate upon exposure to hydrodynamic flow. This may link, for the first time, the self-directed transition from weakly organized bioamphiphile assemblies on solid surfaces to protocells with secluded internal contents. Significance The nature of the physical and chemical mechanisms behind the formation, growth and division of the earliest protocells is among the key questions concerning the origin of life. Establishing a simple pathway for the assembly of protocell structures from the primordial soup is a particular challenge. Emerging evidence supporting the assumption that solid surfaces have a governing role in protocell formation has recently expanded the scope, and created new inspiration for investigation. By presenting a physical path from self-assembled amphiphile-based membranes on solid surfaces to spherical single-membrane compartments via a consistent sequence of transformations, solely driven by the materials properties of the interfaces, a direct link between the presence of functional biomolecules and the development of protocells can be established.
Listeria monocytogenes Attachment to and Detachment from Stainless Steel Surfaces in a Simulated Dairy Processing Environment

ABSTRACT The presence of pathogens in dairy products is often associated with contamination via bacteria attached to food-processing equipment, especially from areas where cleaning/sanitation is difficult. In this study, the attachment of Listeria monocytogenes on stainless steel (SS), followed by detachment and growth in foods, was evaluated under conditions simulating a dairy processing environment. Initially, SS coupons were immersed in milk, vanilla custard, and yogurt inoculated with the pathogen (107 CFU/ml or CFU/g) and incubated at two temperatures (5 and 20°C) for 7 days. By the end of incubation, cells were mechanically detached from coupons and used to inoculate freshly pasteurized milk which was subsequently stored at 5°C for 20 days. The suspended cells in all three products in which SS coupons were immersed were also used to inoculate freshly pasteurized milk (5°C for 20 days). When SS coupons were immersed in milk, shorter lag phases were obtained for detached than for planktonically grown cells, regardless of the preincubation temperature (5 or 20°C). The opposite was observed when custard incubated at 20°C was used to prepare the two types of inocula. However, in this case, a significant increase in growth rate was also evident when the inoculum was derived from detached cells. In another parallel study, while L. monocytogenes was not detectable on SS coupons after 7 days of incubation (at 5°C) in inoculated yogurt, marked detachment and growth were observed when these coupons were subsequently transferred and incubated at 5°C in fresh milk or/and custard. Overall, the results obtained extend our knowledge on the risk related to contamination of dairy products with detached L. monocytogenes cells.
Strategies for overcoming economic marginalization among rural women in Imo state, Nigeria

This study investigated the effects of various gender sensitive campaigns on women's assets and access to resources, the coping strategies utilized and the determinants of use of the coping strategies by rural women in Imo state, Nigeria. A total of 300 randomly sampled rural women in the state provided the data through interview schedules and structured questionnaires. These were analyzed with the aid of simple percentages, frequency tables, means and Ordinary Least Square Multiple Regression Technique at 0.05 level of significance. The results indicated that the gender sensitive campaigns brought about improvement in women's access to extension, contribution to decision making and increased the realization that women have potentials. The women among others utilized mixed farming, mixed cropping, engaged in thrifts/Isusu groups and food vending. The women's marital status, income, number of sources of information, education, family size and farming experience were related with the utilization of the coping strategies. It was however recommended that institutional and organizational reforms should be undertaken to accommodate the interest of women as well as enlightenment campaign to sensitize them on alternative coping strategies. International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2(1) 2006: 1-6